A69533:543
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
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.
Sect. 21. Hence it is pla•n that the Argument is vain that's commonly used by the Prelates, from Nemo dat quod non habet. For it falsely supposeth that the Ordainers are the givers of Power (the master-error in their frame.) Christ hath it, and Christ giveth it. Men give it not, though some of them have it: For they have it only to use and not to give. When the People choose a King, they give him not the Power, but God giveth it to the man whom the people choose. When our Corporations choose their Bailiff, the choosers give him not the Power; for they had it not themselves; but they determine of the man that immediately from the Princes Charter shall receive it: Nor doth the Recorder or Steward give it Primarily, but only Instrumentaliter & perfective by a Ceremonial inauguration. So the People give not Pastors the Power: Nor the Ordainers, but only complementally.
Sect. 21. Hence it is pla•n that the Argument is vain thats commonly used by the Prelates, from Nemo dat quod non habet. For it falsly supposeth that the Ordainers are the givers of Power (the master-error in their frame.) Christ hath it, and Christ giveth it. Men give it not, though some of them have it: For they have it only to use and not to give. When the People choose a King, they give him not the Power, but God giveth it to the man whom the people choose. When our Corporations choose their Bayliff, the choosers give him not the Power; for they had it not themselves; but they determine of the man that immediately from the Princes Charter shall receive it: Nor doth the Recorder or Steward give it Primarily, but only Instrumentaliter & perfective by a Ceremonial inauguration. So the People give not Pastors the Power: Nor the Ordainers, but only complementally.
Sect. 22. From what is aforesaid also it appeareth, that the work of the Ministry is founded first in the Law of nature it self, which upon supposition of mans misery and his recovery by Christ, and the Promise and means appointed for application, requireth every man that hath Ability and Opportunity, to do his best in the Order appointed him by God, to save mens souls by proclaiming the Gospel, and using Gods appointed means, for the great and blessed Ends that are before us.