A69533:711
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. 3. The Minor I prove thus (that our Ordination is by Scripture Bishops.) The Scripture Bishops were the Pastors of Particular Churches, having no Presbyters subject to them. Most of our Ordainers are such Pastors: therefore most of our Ordainers are Scripture Bishops.
Sect 4. The Major is asserted at large by the foresaid […] Dr. H. H. Annot. in Art. 11. b. p. 407. Where he shows […] though this title of [Greek or Hebrew] Elders have been also […] second Order in the Church, & is now only in use for them, under […] name of Presbyters, yet in the Scripture times, it belonged prince pally if not only to Bishops, there being no evidence that any of […] second order were then instituted —] So that the Scripture Bishops were the Pastors of single Churches having no Presbyters under them; for there were no inferior Presbyters (that had not the Power of Ordination) instituted in those times. This therefore may be taken as a granted truth.
Sect 4. The Major is asserted at large by the foresaid 〈…〉 Dr. H. H. Annot. in Art. 11. b. p. 407. Where he shews 〈…〉 though this title of 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 Elders have been also 〈…〉 second Order in the Church, & is now only in use for them, under 〈…〉 name of Presbyters, yet in the Scripture times, it belonged princ• pally if not only to Bishops, there being no evidence that any of 〈…〉 second order were then instituted —] So that the Scripture Bishops were the Pastors of single Churches having no Presbyters under them; for there were no inferiour Presbyters (that had not the Power of Ordination) instituted in those times. This therefore may be taken as a granted truth.