A second admonition to Mr. Edward Bagshaw written to call him to repentance for many false doctrines, crimes, and specially fourscore palpable untruths in matter of fact ... : with a confutation of his reasons for separation ... / by Richard Baxter ...

Sect. 51. E. B. p. 14. Lastly, Which will fully answer the scruple, It is to be considered,

that the Primitive Churches were setled by the Apostles, and constituted according to the Di∣vine pattern, having all the Ordinances of Christ, and true Officers rightly established among them; so that though many scandalous sins did break out, and were visible among some of the members, yet a power was still retained in each Church for the keeping them∣selves pure by casting out offenders; whereby they were kept to the institution and orders of Christ, without any universal innovation or de∣generating in those Essentials of Order as well as Doctrine, which they fell into in the ages after; and when Antichristianism (which was then working) did manifestly shew it self, not only in rejecting truth, 2 Thess. 2. but in im∣posing error, Rev. 13. 16, 17. then was sepa∣ration made necessary.

R. B. Reader, this confused huddle of words it seems is the thing he trusteth to as a full answer to the scruple. But 1. If such Churches are to be communicated with, as yet retain all the Essentials of Office, Order and Doctrine, then those are to be communicated with, that are now in question: But the for∣mer seemeth here intimated by himself, That our said Churches have all such essentials, is thus proved. Whereever there are true Pastors and a Christian flock related mutually as such, receiving the holy Scriptures as such, there are all things essential to a true Church, for Office, Order and Doctrine. But it is so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Parish Churches in question: To stay here to write a particular proof of the vali∣dity

of the Ministers Calling, any further than to put the accuser if he can to prove, that any essential part is wanting (whether in Qua∣lification, Ordination, or Consent) would be vain, it being done so largely by the old Non-conformists.

2. But is there a Power retained in such Churches to cast out offendors? Answ. Yes; A Power divine, or given by Christ. Re∣member that (as I have proved Disp. of Ordinat.) men are not the Makers of the Of∣fice of the Sacred Ministry, nor the Measu∣rers or Givers of the Power; but only the Choosers of the person that shall receive what Christ by Institution giveth, and the Ministe∣rial Investers of the person in that power. Therefore,

Whoever receiveth the Office of a Pastor receiveth the power of the Keyes, to take in and cast out (Though not arbitrarily nor ungoverned by himself) But the Parish Mi∣nisters (or very many of them) now in question do receive the Office of Pastors: Therefore they receive the power of the Keyes to take in and cast out.

If you say that the Bishops intend it not in ordaining them: I answer, 1. It sufficeth that Christ intendeth it, who is the only maker and giver of the power: The Book of Ordination maketh them solemnly Cove∣nant to give faithful diligence alwayes so to Minister the Doctrine, and Sacraments, and the Discipline of Christ as the Lord hath ••••••∣manded, &c. And to teach nothing as requi∣red

of necessity to eternal salvation, but that which they are perswaded may be concluded and proved by the Scripture, as containing all such necessary doctrine: And to be ready with all faithful diligence to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrines contrary to Gods word: And to use both publick and pri∣vate monitions and exhortations as well to the sick, as the whole: And to be diligent in prayers and reading the holy Scriptures, and in such stu∣dies as help to the knowledge of the same, laying aside the study of the world and the flesh. And that they will be diligent to frame and fashion themselves and their families, according to the doctrine of Christ, and to make both themselves and them, as much as they can, wholesome ex∣amples to the flock, &c. And till lately the said Book recited Acts 20. 28. to the Presby∣ters at their Ordination.

And the Canon 26. saith [No Minister shall in any wise admit to the receiving of the holy Communion any of his Cure or flock, which be openly known to live in sin notori∣ous without repentance; Besides what the Rubrick saith to that purpose.

And now (though I think this one of the greatest sores which you have touched) yet judge whether even the Laws and Canons concede no Power to the Ministers.

3. But if they did not, the Power of Office is one thing, and the Liberty of exercising it is another: We have Power from Christ to preach: and if we be silenced and our liber∣ty restrained by men, that proveth us not to be

no true Ministers. If you mean that no Church is to be communicated with where the Pastor is hindered by men from the full discharge of his Office, you mistake, and can never prove it.

4. They that voluntarily neglect their Of∣fice (without hinderance by the force of men) are more to be blamed than those that are so forced. But in the Primitive Chur∣ches Discipline was lamentably neglected voluntarily; as appeareth in the Case of most of the seven Churches, Rev. 2. & 3. for which they are threatned by Christ, and in the Corinthians case: yea, corrupted by such as Diotrophes. And do you think that the Church that hath Power to do well, and will not, is therefore to be communicated with because it can? that is, because it sin∣neth not through disability, but negligence or wilfulness?

5. But the Core of your erroneous reaso∣ning is behind; you say, they were—without any Vniversal innovation or degenera∣ting in those Essentials of Order as well as do∣ctrine which they fell into in the ages after, &c. An Vniversal degenerating in the Essentials even of Doctrine and Order too, is a big and a sad word: And the time pointed at by you being so early, if I can understand you, you do (as the Seekers) unchurch the universal Church of Christ. For if it Degenerated Vniversally in the Essentials of doctrine, it Vniversally apostatized from Christianity: For where any Essential part is lost, the Essence

and just Name is lost. And I beseech you, let not rashness or passion blind you to over-overlook the dreadfulness of this Do∣ctrine.

1. If Christ had then no Church (as he had not, if the Essential degeneration was Vni∣versal) then he was no King of the Church on Earth, no Lord, no Teacher, no Saviour of the Church; no Intercessor for it in the Heavens? And do you not then dethrone him, and deny him indeed to be the Christ? What, a Head without a Body? A King with∣out a Kingdom?

2. So you will make all Gods Promises of his Churches perpetuity, as built on the Rock, against which Hell Gates should not prevail, and of being with them to the end of the world, &c. to be false and fail. And if the whole Church failed, and the Promises made to it, what particular soul can trust Gods Promises.

3. If all the Church apostatized, how shall we know that Apostates did not corrupt all the Copies of Scripture that are come down to us?

4. And then the Article [I believe the ho∣ly Catholick Church] would have been a falshood or error.

5. And then there could be no Baptism, no Sacrament of the Lords Supper, &c.

6. And then there must be New Apostles with Miracles to make a new Church. And thus we have Mr. Williams doctrine, whose Story I recited in my last Book.

Sect. 52. E. B. p. 15. [This necessity of separation which began then continueth still, since our Churches, though reformed from Pope∣ry (that is, from Antichristianism) in some points, yet are not restored to the primitive pattern and purity.]

R. B. 1. Whether by [our Churches] you mean only the Parish Churches of godly Ministers, or also All the Protestant Churches, and all other Vniversally through the world, I am not sure: But as far as I can conjecture by your words you mean; All. Because you speak of them as in a Continuance in part in the Vniversal degeneration in Essenti∣als; And you speak of them as avoiding Po∣pery but in part, and call them [our Chur∣ches,] and mention no Church in the world here that you own as a true Church (and whether any where in all your writings I remember not.) I confess I pretend not to know the mind of so careless a Writer by any words, but very plain ones: But if this be your mind as it seemeth to be, you would do well (being so bold a man) to tell the world your mind more plainly: And you that think that no Truth is to be sold (as you call it) for Peace, let Inde∣pendents, Presbyterians, Separatists, Ana∣baptists, &c. know it, if indeed you think that all their Churches are to be separa∣ted from, as well as the Parish Chur∣ches. If this be your mind, I suppose you

are but a Preacher to Auditors your self, and not a Pastor to any Church. He that thinks no Truth should be concealed for fear of suf∣fering, should not carry it in darkness and dissimulation to the Pastors and Churches about him, if really he believe them to be no Pastors or Churches, or not to be com∣municated with. But I think that you bet∣ter deserve to be disowned by them, than they by you.

Certainly few or no Protestant Church, that I have known, will say that it is restored to the primitive pattern and Purity in degree. If that therefore be your meaning, you do separate from all the Churches in the world. But if you mean not, in Degree, but in Essence, I still challenge you to prove that the Churches in question want any thing Essen∣tial; or need a Restoration to that which they never lost?

Notes

• 11. Dread∣ful false doctrine. Read and fear the tendency of separa∣tion.
• Mr. Willi∣am's do∣ctrine.