A69533:203
Five disputations of church-government and worship
Five disputations of church-government and worship by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by R.W. for Nevil Simmons, 1659
Whether it be Necessary or Profitable to the right order or the Pea… › Section
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Argument 1. Christ promised when he instituted this General Office to be with them to the end of the world: therefore it was his will that it should continue to the end of the world, (Mat. 28 20, 21.) It was to a Ministry that were sent to preach the Gospel to every Creature, or to all the world, and to Disciple Nations, that this promise was expressly made; therefore such a Ministry is to be continued.
Argument 1. Christ promised when he instituted this General Office to be with them to the end of the world: therefore it was his will that it should continue to the end of the world, (Mat. 28 20, 21.) It was to a Ministry that were sent to preach the Gospel to every Creature, or to all the world, and to Disciple Nations, that this promise was expresly made; therefore such a Ministry is to be continued.
Argum. 2. The same work and Necessity still continueth: Fo•, 1. There are still most of the Nations on earth unconverted. 2. The Converted and Congregated to be Confirmed and Governed, therefore the Office continueth.
Argum. 3. We can fetch no Argument from the Apostles Example or from any Precept or Promise to them, to prove the succession of fixed Pastors, which is stronger then this by which we prove the succession of General unfixed Officers: therefore either we must yield to this, or by the same reasons as we deny it, we must deny the Ministry too: Which is not to be done.