Baxter - Houston-Packer Collection BX5151 .B3 1659

tnufl expect Tome better proof then hitherto we have feen, f the Epifcopall ( or any humane) p.,wer to make new ~Offices in the Church of (brill á-:ßd that of univet fal and (landing ne° cefty.,_ Till then-we (hì11 think they ought to have made but fuch Presbyters as rhemfelves. Reafon 9. If therebe not fo muchas the name ofaRuled ['ref- .Reafon p. byter with 'pit power of Ordination , or f tarifdiclion in all the cripture, much lefr then is there any defcription of hit Office, or any Directions for his ordination , or the qualifications preregui. ,;ft in hìm , and the performance of his office when he is in it : And if there be nofuchDirectory concerning Prerbjters .,thenwas it not the Apoflles intent that ever any fuch fhould be ordained. The reafon of the confequence is, t. tiecaule the Scripture was written not only for that age then in being, but for the Church of all ages to the end of the world: And therefore it mull be a fufficient directory for all. The fecond Epifile to Timothy was written but a little before Pauls death. Surely if the Churches in Ignatius daies were all in need of Presbyters under Rifhops , Paul might well have feen fome need in his time , or have forefeen the need that was fo neer, and fo have given directions for that office. 2. And the rather is this confequence firm, becaufe Panl in his Epiflles to Timothy and Titus Both give fuch full and pun&ual Directions concern- ing the other Church-officers not only the Eifhops, but alto the Deacons, defcribing their prerequifirequalifications, their office and directing for their Ordination and converfa- tion : Yea he condefcendeth to give fuch large Dire&ions con- cerning Widows thernfelves,thac were ferviceable to theChurch. Now is it :probable that a perfect Directory written for the Churchrothe worlds End,& largely defcribing the qualifications and office ofDeacons,which is the ìnferiour,wouldnot give one word ofdiredionconcerning fubje& Presbyters without power of Ordinationor Rule, if any fuch had been then intended for the Church ? No nor oncefo much as name them ? I dare not .accufePaws Epiftles written to that very purpofe,and the whole Scripture, fo much o:finfufficiency , as to think they wholly omit a neceffary office, and fo exactly mention the inferiour and com- monly lefs neceffary, as they do. Reafon i o. The new Epifcopal Divines do yield that all the &tearm Yaa I, texts

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