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Richard Baxter
A Christian Directory
Part 3
Question 1
p. 772

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,I. CHRISTIAN ETHICS (or private Duties.)II. CHRISTIAN OECONOMICKS (or Family Duties.)III. CHRISTIAN ECCLESIASTICS (or Church Duties.)IV. CHRISTIAN POLITICS (or Duties to our Rulers and Neighbours.)By RICHARD BAXTER.Mal. 2. 7▪ 8.The Priests lips should keep Knowledge, and they should seek the Law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts. But ye are departed out of the way: Ye have Caused many to stumble at the Law; ye have corrupted the Covenant of Levi—Matth. 13. 52.Every SCRIBE which is instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven, is like unto a man that is an Householder, which bringeth forth out of his Treasure things New and Old.Heb. 5. 13, 14.For every one that useth Milk is unskilful in the Word of Righteousness: for he is a Babe: But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age: Those who by reason of USE, have their senses exercised to discern both Good and Evil.2 Tim. 2. 14, 15, 16.Of these things put them in remembrance; charging them before God, that they STRIVE not about WORDS, to no profit, but to the subverting of the Hearers: Study to show thy self approved UNTO GOD, a Workman that needeth not to be ashamed, RIGHTLY DIVIDING the word of Truth. But shun profane and vain Babblings; for they will increase unto more Ungodliness, and their Word will eat as doth a Canker.2 Pet. 3. 16.In which (Pauls Epistles) are some things hard to be understood: which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures to their own destruction.LONDON, Printed, by Robert White, for Nevill Simmons, at the Sign of the Princes Arms in St. Pauls Church-yard. 1673.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,I. CHRISTIAN ETHICKS (or private Duties.)II. CHRISTIAN OECONOMICKS (or Family Duties.)III. CHRISTIAN ECCLESIASTICKS (or Church Duties.)IV. CHRISTIAN POLITICKS (or Duties to our Rulers and Neighbours.)By RICHARD BAXTER.Mal. 2. 7▪ 8.The Priests lips should keep Knowledge, and they should seek the Law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts. But ye are departed out of the way: Ye have Caused many to stumble at the Law; ye have corrupted the Covenant of Levi—Matth. 13. 52.Every SCRIBE which is instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven, is like unto a man that is an Housholder, which bringeth forth out of his Treasure things New and Old.Heb. 5. 13, 14.For every one that useth Milk is unskilful in the Word of Righteousness: for he is a Babe: But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age: Those who by reason of USE, have their senses exercised to discern both Good and Evil.2 Tim. 2. 14, 15, 16.Of these things put them in remembrance; charging them before God, that they STRIVE not aboutTitle page of A Christian Directory, London, 1673

A26892:5805

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.

Richard Baxter 1615–1691London: printed by Robert White for Nevill Simmons, 1673

[35], 929, [5], 214 p., [1] leaf of plates : port. · 1.2M words · Wing B1219 · ESTC R21847

Title page typeset from the transcription.

Part 3 › Question 1: CASES OF CONSCIENCE ABOUT Matters Ecclesiastical.

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.

[ Earlier:5802–5817 of 9,947

:5802p. 772

Prop. 12. Christianity and Heresy being personal qualities, and no where found but in individuals,¹ nor one man guilty of another's error, it followeth that it is single persons upon personal guilt that must be judged.

Prop. 12. Christianity and Heresie being personal qualities, and no where found but in individuals,¹ nor one man guilty of anothers error, it followeth that it is single persons upon personal guilt that must be judged.

1Ezek. 18 17. Gen. 18 3, 24, •5.

:5803p. 772

Prop. 13. Any man may judge another to be a Christian or Heretic, by a private judgement of¹ discerning, or the reason which guideth all humane actions: But only Church Rulers may judge him by that public Judgement, which giveth or denieth him his public privileges and Communion.

Prop. 13. Any man may judge another to be a Christian or Heretick, by a private judgement of¹ discerning, or the reason which guideth all humane actions: But only Church Rulers may judge him by that publick Judgement, which giveth or denyeth him his publick priviledges and Communion.

11 Cor. •0. 1.

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On this page: :5802–5817
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Whole work: 9,947 passages

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Richard Baxter, A Christian Directory (London, 1673), pt. 3, q. 1, p. 772. EEBO-TCP A26892.

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The book

Title as printed: 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.
Author: Richard Baxter 1615–1691
Place: London
Printer: Robert White
Bookseller: Nevill Simmons
Year: 1673
Size: [35], 929, [5], 214 p., [1] leaf of plates : port.
Words: 1,175,050
Catalogue: Wing B1219 · ESTC R21847
Text: EEBO-TCP A26892

Passages: 9,947
Sections: 502

The author

Richard Baxter 1615–1691

The Reformers and Puritans in their own words, with every quotation checked against the page.

Texts transcribed from the original printings by the Text Creation Partnership (EEBO-TCP and Evans-TCP) and dedicated to the public domain (CC0).

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WORDS,

to no profit, but to the subverting of the Hearers: Study to shew thy self approved

UNTO GOD,

a Workman that needeth not to be ashamed,

RIGHTLY DIVIDING

the word of Truth. But shun profane and vain Bablings; for they will increase unto more Ungodliness, and their Word will eat as doth a Canker.

2 Pet. 3. 16.In which (Pauls Epistles) are some things hard to be understood: which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures to their own destruction.

LONDON, Printed, by Robert White, for Nevill Simmons, at the Sign of the Princes Arms in St. Pauls Church-yard. 1673.

•

. 1 Cor. •. 3▪ 4▪ 5.

.

.

.

:5804p. 772

Prop. 14. If by notorious injustice Church Rulers condemn Christians as no Christians, though they may thereby deny them communion with those public Assemblies, which they govern, yet do they not oblige the people to take such injured persons for no Christians. Else they might oblige all to believe a lye, to consent to malicious injuries, and might disoblige the people from Truth, Righteousness and Charity.

Prop. 14. If by notorious injustice Church Rulers condemn Christians as no Christians, though they may thereby deny them communion with those publick Assemblies, which they govern, yet do they not oblige the people to take such injured persons for no Christians. Else they might oblige all to believe a lye, to consent to malicious injuries, and might disoblige the people from Truth, Righteousness and Charity.

:5805p. 772

Prop. 15. There is no one Natural or Collective Head and Governor of all the Churches in the¹ world (the Universal Church) but Jesus Christ; And therefore there is none that by such Governing power, can excommunicate any man out of the Universal Church: And such Usurpation would² be Treason against Christ, whose Prerogative it is.

Prop. 15. There is no one Natural or Collective Head and Governour of all the Churches in the¹ world (the Universal Church) but Jesus Christ; And therefore there is none that by such Governing power, can excommunicate any man out of the Universal Church: And such Usurpation would² be Treason against Christ, whose Prerogative it is.

11 Cor. 12. 27, 28, 29.
2Eph. 4. 5, 6, 7. 1 Cor. 1. 12, 13 & 3. 22, 23.

:5806p. 772

Prop. 16. Yet he that deserveth to be excommunicated from one Church, deserveth to be¹ excommunicated by and from all, if it be upon a Cause common to all; or that nullifieth his Christianity.²

1Ephes. 5. 23. & 4 15.
2Col. 1. 18 . & 2. 19.

:5807p. 772

Prop. 17. And where neighbour Churches are Consociate and live in Order and Concord, he that¹ is orderly excommunicate from one Church, and it be notified to the rest, should not be taken into the communion of any of the rest, till he be cleared, or become fit for their communion. But² this obligation ariseth but from the Concord of Consociate Churches, and not from the Power of one over the rest: And it cannot reach all the world, where the person cometh not, nor was ever known; but only to those who through neighbourhood are capable of just notice, and of giving or denying communion to that person.

13 John.
2Ephes. 5. 11. 1 Cor. 5. 1•.

:5808p. 772

Prop. 18. From all this it is clear, that it is not either Papists alone, or Greeks alone, or Protestants alone, or any party of Christians, who are the Universal Church, seeing that Church containeth All ¹Christians. And that reviling others (yea, whole Nations) as Heretics, Schismatics, and no Christians, or Churches, will no more prove the Revilers to be the only Church or Christians, than Want of Love will prove a man to be one of Christs Disciples, who by Love are known to all men to be his.

Prop. 18. From all this it is clear, that it is not either Papists alone, or Greeks alone, or Protestants alone, or any party of Christians, who are the Universal Church, seeing that Church containeth All ¹Christians. And that reviling others (yea, whole Nations) as Hereticks, Schismaticks, and no Christians, or Churches, will no more prove the Revilers to be the only Church or Christians, than Want of Love will prove a man to be one of Christs Disciples, who by Love are known to all men to be his.

11 Cor. 1•. 12. John 13. 3•. 1 Cor. 13 1, 2, &c.

:5809p. 772

Prop. 19. It is therefore the shameful language of distracted men, to cry out against other Christian Nations, It is not you, but we that are the Catholic or Universal Church. And our shameful Controversy, which of them is the Catholic, is no wiser than to question, Whether it be this house or that which is the Street? Or this Street or that which is the City? Or whether it be the¹ Kitchen, or the Hall, or the Parlour which is the House? Or the Hand, or Foot, or Eye which is the Man? O when will God bring distracting Teachers to Repentance, and distracted people to their wits!²

Prop. 19. It is therefore the shameful language of distracted men, to cry out against other Christian Nations, It is not you, but we that are the Catholick or Universal Church. And our shameful Controversie, which of them is the Catholick, is no wiser than to question, Whether it be this house or that which is the Street? Or this Street or that which is the City? Or whether it be the¹ Kitchin, or the Hall, or the Parlour which is the House? Or the Hand, or Foot, or Eye which is the Man? O when will God bring distracting Teachers to Repentance, and distracted people to their wits!²

11 Cor. 12. 12. 1 Cor. 6. 17 . & 10. 17.
2Ephes. 4. 3, &c.

:5810p. 773

Prop. 20. There is great difference in the Purity or soundness, of the several parts of the Universal Church; some being more Orthodox and holy, and some de••led with so many Errors and sins,¹ as to make it difficult to discern whether they do not deny the very essentials.

Prop. 20. There is great difference in the Purity or soundness, of the several parts of the Universal Church; some being more Orthodox and holy, and some de••led with so many Errours and sins,¹ as to make it difficult to discern whether they do not deny the very essentials.

1Gal. 4. 11, 12.

:5811p. 773

Prop. 21. The Reformed Churches are the soundest and purest that we know in the world, and¹ therefore their privilege exceeding great, though they are not all the Universal Church.

Prop. 21. The Reformed Churches are the soundest and purest that we know in the world, and¹ therefore their priviledge exceeding great, though they are not all the Universal Church.

1Rev. 3 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. & 2 10, 11. Act. 14 22. Tit. 1 5. Rom. 16. 4, 16. 1 Cor. 7 17 . & 11. 16 . & 14. 3•, 34. 2 Thes. 1. 4. Rev. 2. 23.

:5812p. 773

Prop. 22. Particular Churches consisting of Lawful Pastors and Christian people, associated for personal Communion in Worship and holy living are societies or true Churches of Christ• institution, and the chief parts of the Universal Church: As Cities and Corporations are of the Kingdom?

:5813p. 773

Prop. 23. There are thousands of these in the world, and a man may be saved in one, as well as in another: Only the purest give him the best advantages for his salvation; And therefore should be preferred by all that are wise and love their souls, so far as they are free to choose their Communion.

:5814p. 773

Prop. 24. The case then being easily resolved [which is the true Church]? viz. All Christians ¹as Christians are the Catholic or Universal Church? and All Congregations afore described, of² true Pastors and Christians being particular true Churches, differing only in degrees of purity, he is to be suspected as a designing deceiver and troubler of the world, that pretending to be a Learned man and a Teacher, doth still perplex the Consciences of the ignorant with this frivolous question, and would muddy and obscure this clear state of the case, lest the people should rest in the discerned truth.

Prop. 24. The case then being easily resolved [which is the true Church]? viz. All Christians ¹as Christians are the Catholick or Universal Church? and All Congregations afore described, of² true Pastors and Christians being particular true Churches, differing only in degrees of purity, he is to be suspected as a designing deceiver and troubler of the world, that pretending to be a Learned man and a Teacher, doth still perplex the Consciences of the ignorant with this frivolous question, and would muddy and obscure this clear state of the case, lest the people should rest in the discerned truth.

1☜
21 Cor. 1. 13. Rom. 16. 17. Act. 20. 30.

:5815p. 773

Prop. 25. The Papal Church as such, being no true Church of Christs institution (of which by it self anon) it followeth that a Papist as a Papist is no member of the Church of Christ, that is,¹ no Christian. But yet whether the same person may not be a Papist and a Christian, and so a member of the Catholic Church, we shall anon enquire.

Prop. 25. The Papal Church as such, being no true Church of Christs institution (of which by it self anon) it followeth that a Papist as a Papist is no member of the Church of Christ, that is,¹ no Christian. But yet whether the same person may not be a Papist and a Christian, and so a member of the Catholick Church, we shall anon enquire.

1Acts 2. 44. 1 Cor. 1. 10. 1 Thes. 5. 12, 13.

:5816p. 773

Prop. 26. There are many things which go to make up the fitness and desirableness of that particular¹ Church, which we should prefer or choose for our ordinary personal Communion: As, 1. That it be the Church of that place where we dwell; If the place be so happy as to have no divided Churches, that it be the sole Church there; However that it be so neer•• to be fit for our Communion. 2. That it be a Church which holdeth Communion with other neighbour Churches, and is not singular or divided from them; Or at least not from the Generality of the Churches of Christ; nor² differeth in any great matters from those that are most pure. 3. That it be under the Reputation of soundness with the other Churches aforesaid, and not under the scandal of Heresy, Schism or gross corruption among those that live about. 4. That it be under the countenance and encouraging favour of the Christian Magistrate. 5. That it be the same Church of which the rest of the family which we are of, be members; That Husband and Wife, Parents and Children, Masters and Servants be not of several Churches. 6. That the Pastors be able Teachers, prudent Guides and of holy lives, and diligent in their office. 7. That the Pastors be regularly called to their office. 8. That the members be intelligent, peaceable and of holy, temperate and righteous lives. But when all these cannot be had together, we must choose that Church which hath those qualifications which are most needful, and bear with tolerable imperfections. The most needful are the first, second and sixth of these qualifications.

Prop. 26. There are many things which go to make up the fitness and desireablness of that particular¹ Church, which we should prefer or choose for our ordinary personal Communion: As, 1. That it be the Church of that place where we dwell; If the place be so happy as to have no divided Churches, that it be the sole Church there; However that it be so neer•• to be fit for our Communion. 2. That it be a Church which holdeth Communion with other neighbour Churches, and is not singular or divided from them; Or at least not from the Generality of the Churches of Christ; nor² differeth in any great matters from those that are most pure. 3. That it be under the Reputation of soundness with the other Churches aforesaid, and not under the scandal of Heresie, Schism or gross corruption among those that live about. 4. That it be under the countenance and encouraging favour of the Christian Magistrate. 5. That it be the same Church of which the rest of the family which we are of, be members; That Husband and Wife, Parents and Children, Masters and Servants be not of several Churches. 6. That the Pastors be able Teachers, prudent Guides and of holy lives, and diligent in their office. 7. That the Pastors be regularly called to their office. 8. That the members be intelligent, peaceable and of holy, temperate and righteous lives. But when all these cannot be had together, we must choose that Church which hath those qualifications which are most needful, and bear with tolerable imperfections. The most needful are the first, second and sixth of these qualifications.

1Heb. 10. 25. 1 Tim. 3. 7. 3 Joh. 12.
2Act 16▪ 32, 34. Act 10. 2. 22. Act. 18. 8. Col. 4. 15.

:5817p. 773

Prop. 27. He that is free, should choose that Church which is the fittest for his own edification; that is, The best Pastors, people and administrations.

Puritans

England

Pastor at Kidderminster and prolific nonconformist author.

Transcription key

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