Baxter - Houston-Packer Collection BX5151 .B3 1659

their own eafeand quiet, and to avoid mens ill will ; and fome through the great oppofitions of the people, or for one fuch caufe or other, do let all alone. In fo much, as even here in this 'County where we have affociated and engaged ourfelves to fome executionof Difcipline, this workgoes on fo heavily as we fee, and neednot mention further : when yet there is not a dales omifsion of Sermons andother Ordinances : fo that its apparent that its it which all lazie, carnal, man_pleatiing'Miniftersmay well comply with, as that which fuites their Carnal Interefls, co be free from the toil and care of Difcipline. if you fay, why then do the Bifhops delire it, if flefh and bloodbe againft it ? I anfwer ; Experienceand the impofsibility of performance tells us, that it is not the work, but the - empty name and honourthat they took up : and that indeed the flefb dothmuch more defire. Had they defired or been willing of the work, as they were of Lordfhips and Riches, they would have done it. Argum. 9. 0 Epifcopacy, (at leaf which bath fo many 1N evils as aforefaidattendingit) which is not of Gods Infiitution, fhould be admitted into the Church. The late Englifi Prelacy, as to the difapproved propertiesbefore mentioned, is not of Gods Inflitution : therefore it is not to beadmitted into the Church. TheMajor is confeffed by all that plead for the Ins Diviaum of Epifcopacy, or moll : andwith the qualification, from the ill confequents, will be yieldedby all. TheMinor I proveby parts : i. That the exclufion of Pref- byters fromRule, and the putting the Government from them intoa Lay-mans hand, with the reftbefore mentioned, are not of Divine In*itution, is proved already, as much as needs. 2. Ifat theprefent we yield a fuperintendency or preheminence of one Paftor before others, yet the Controverfie remainetb, whethera Prelate fhould be only Parochial, that is, only the Prefidentof theElders of one particular Church, orat the ut- moRof that with two or three, or a few neighbour (mall Parifh. eswhichhe may well overfee, without thenegleâ of the Difci_ pline. Now I knownot howany man of that way can prove out

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