A26892:5580
A Christian Directory
A Christian directory, or, A sum of practical theology and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortify every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.A Christian directory, or, A summ of practical theologie and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortifie every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by Robert White for Nevill Simmons, 1673
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
as there is no School which is not constituted of Teacher and Scholars. That particular organized Political Churches are of Christs institution (by his Spirit in the Apostles:) is undeniable: Acts 14. 23. They ordained them Elders in every Church. Tit. 1. 5. Ordain Elders in every City as I commanded thee: ⟨p. 736⟩Acts 20. 17. He sent to Ephesus and called the Elders of the Church: 28. Take heed to your selves and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God—So 1 Thess. 5. 12, 13. Heb. 13. 7, 17, 24, &c. 1 Cor. 7. 23. If the whole Church be come together into one place, &c. Thus far it is no question but Church-forms and Government is of Divine appointment: And man can no more alter this, or set up such other without Gods consent, than a subject can alter or make Corporations without the Kings consent. 2. But besides these two sorts of Divine institution, there are other allowable associations which some call Churches: God hath required these particular Churches to hold such Communion as they are capable of, for promoting the common Ends of Christianity: And Prudence is left to determine of the Times and Places, and manner of their Pastors Assemblies, Councils and Correspondencies according to Gods general Rules. If any will call these Councils, or the Associations engaged for special correspondencies, by the name of Churches I will not trouble any with a strife about the Name: In this case so far as men have power to make that Association or Combination which they call a Church, so also if they make Officers suited to its ends, not encroaching upon the Churches or Officers of Christs own institution, I am none of those that will contend against them: Nor will this allow us to deny Communion with them. 3. And in those Churches which Christ himself hath instituted, there are Officers that make but for the Integrity, and not for the Political Essence of the Church: As Deacons, and all Pastors or Presbyters more than One. For it is not essential to it to have any Deacons, or many Pastors. As to this sort of Officers Christ hath appointed them, and it is not in mans power to alter his institution, nor to set up any such like in co-ordination with these: But yet if they should do so, as long as the true Essentials of the Church remain: I am not to deny communion with that Church, so I own not this corruption. 4.