A69533:617
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. 12. Among so many temptations that in so many ages since the Apostles days, have befallen so many men, as our predecessors in the Ministry, or the Bishops predecessors have been, it were a wonder if all of them should scape the snare: So that we have reason to take it for a thing improbable, that the succession hath not been interrupted.
Sect. 12. Among so many temptations that in so many ages since the Apostles dayes, have befallen so many men, as our predecessors in the Ministry, or the Bishops predecessors have been, it were a wonder if all of them should scape the snare: So that we have reason to take it for a thing improbable, that the succession hath not been interrupted.
Sect. 13. And we know that in several ages of the Church the ⟨p. 171⟩Prelates and Priests have been so vile, that in reason we could expect no better from men so vicious, then forgery and abuse, he that reads what Gildas and others say of the British, and what even Baronius, much more Espencaeus, Cornelius Mus. and others say of the Romanists; yea he that knows but what state the Bishops and Priests have been in and yet continue in, in our own days, will never think it an improbable thing that some of our predecessors should be guilty either of Simony or other vice that made them uncapable, or should be mere usurpers under the name of Bishops and Ministers of Christ.
Sect. 13. And we know that in several ages of the Church the ⟨p. 171⟩Prelates and Priests have been so vile, that in reason we could expect no better from men so vicious, then forgery and abuse, he that reads what Gildas and others say of the Brittish, and what even Baronius, much more Espencaeus, Cornelius Mus. and others say of the Romanists; yea he that knows but what state the Bishops and Priests have been in and yet continue in, in our own dayes, will never think it an improbable thing that some of our predecessors should be guilty either of Simony or other vice that made them uncapable, or should be meer usurpers under the name of Bishops and Ministers of Christ.