( 13S ) Ruling Neighbour Churches : But only a power of Guiding their own flocks, and judging oftheir own aátions. Yea, and that not as Ungoverned or without Appeals: But as Ruled by Magiftrates, confociated for Con- cord with other Paflors, and Ruling Volunteers. And if Archbilhops alfa Rule them by Gods Laws, we (hall fubmit. C H A P. XVII. That the great change of Government hitherto deferí bed ( the making of new fpecies of Churches, a new Epifcopacy, andanew fort of half -fubpresbyters, with the Depofition of the old,) wasfinfullydone, and' not according to the intent of the Apofiles. T 07-'1-Jere are two pretences ( and no !note that I know of) made to ;traffic all this foredefcribed change. The firft is by Dr. Hammond when he was hard put to it at Taft, in anfwer to, the London Minihers, which is, That Subpresbyters were Ordained in Saint John's time, and therefore by him. The fecond is ordinary, that though de faéto the Apofiles retied but fangle Pallor! ( without Subpresbyters at lea,!l) over fingle Churches or Affemblies, yet this wag not done with an Obligatorypurpofe, for the fo fixing of it ; But only de faéto, pro tempore, as a State ofimmaturity, with apurpofi and intent, that itfhould grow up tothe change of this atmaturity.. T. To the firft Pretence I anfwer. i.. What probability is there that one Apollle when all the raft were dead, fhould make fo great a change in their Church Orders ? Either it was part of the Apoftolical Commitlion and work to fettle Church Offices and orders for Government, or not. (as to the fpecies' Chrift had not before done it or to fettle it by-revealing what Chrift did command them either from Chriff's mouth, or the'Spirits in- fpiration, to fettle the.Catholick. Chuffh, as Mofes did the Jewifh. )--Ifit were none of thheir Commifjioned Ofce work, then it was none of John's : And then it is done fo as may be yet undone. Brit if it were John's work it was Theirs And if theirs, why did they not perform it ? Even while they had.
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