Baxter - BX5207 B3 A2 1696

244 Ehe LIFE of the L I B. 1, For Reforming ofwhich Evils, &c. r ;. r. ThePrimates Reduetion, though not publilhed in his Life time, was formed many years before his Death, and chewed to fome Perlons ( ready to at- teft the fame ) in the Year 1640. but it is not confiftent with two other Difcour. fes of the fameLearned Primate ( viz. the oneof the Original of Epifcopacy, and the other of the Original of Metropolitans ) both printed in the Year 164r. and written withgreat diligence and much variety of ancient Learning. In nei- ther of which is to be found any mention of the Reductionaforefaid. Neither is there in either of them propounded any fuch Model of Church.Government, as in the laid Redu&ion is contained. Which doubtlefs would have been done, had that Platform been according tohis fetledJudgment in thofe Matters. In which Reduction there are fundry things (asnamely the Conformingof Suf f agans to the number of Rural Deaneries) which are apparently privateConcep- tions of his own ; accommodated at that time for the taking off fome prefent Ani- mofities : but wholly deftitute of any Colour of Teftimony or Prefidenc from An- tiquity, nor is any fach by him offered towards the proof thereof. And it would be confidered, whether the Final Refolution of all Eccleliaftical Power and Jurifdietion into a National Synod, where it feemeth to be placed in that Redudion without naming the King, or without any dependance upon him, or relation to him, be not deftrudive of the King's Supremacy in caufes Eccle6- aftical, It is obfervable neverthelefs, that even in the Redu&ion Archi-Epifcopacy isác. knowledged. 4: for the fuper-added Particulars; § 4. e. The Appointment and Election of Suffragans is by the Law already vetted in the King, whole Power therein is by the Courfe here propofed taken away. § t q. 2. What they mean by Affociations in this place, they explain not; but we conceive it dangerous that any Affociation (whatfoever isunderltood thereby) fhouldbe made or entered into without the King'sAuthority. § 16. ;. We do not take the Oaths, Promifes and Subfcriptions by Law requi- red of Minilters at their Ordination,Inftitution, &c. to be unneceffary : although they be refponfible to the Laws if they do amifs : it being thought requifite , as well by fuch Cautions to prevent Offences, as to punifhOffenders afterwards. Up- on all which Confideration iris, that Officers in the Court , Freemen in Cities, and Corporate Towns, Mailers and Fellows of Colledges in the Univerfities, etc, are required at their Admifliotìinto their feveral relpediveplaces to give Oaths for well and truly performing their feveral relpedive Duties, their liablenefs to punifh- ment in cafe of Nonperformance accordingly notwithftanding. Neither doth it feem reafonable that fuch Perfons as havethemfelves with great feverity prefcribed and exacted antecedent Conditions of their Communion not warranted by Law, fhould be exempted from the tyeof fuch Oaths and Subfcriptions as the Laws re- quire. § e7. q.. We agree that the Eilhops, and all Ecciefiaftical Governours, ought to exercife their Government, not Arbitrarily but according to Law. q. Andfor Security againft fuch Arbitrary Government and Innovations the Laws are, and from timeto time will be fufhcient provilon. Concerning Liturgy. § 18. ALiturgyor Form of Publick Worlhip beingnot only by them acknow- ledged lawful, but by us alfo ( for the prefervation of Unity and Uniformity) deemed neceffary, we etteem the Liturgy of the Church of England, contained in the Book of Common Prayer, and by Law eftablilhed, to be loch a one as is by them defired ; according to the Qualifications here mentioned, uso. e. For

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=