A26892:5925
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.
I commend not this example of re-baptizing, the rather because, it seems the Priest was not deposed till after he had Baptized Herebaldus: But if he went so far as to re-baptize and account the Baptism a Nullity, which was done by an unable insufficient Presbyter, though rightly ordained, judge but as favourably of men that avoid such Presbyters in our age.
The third instance shall be that of Cyprian and all the worthy Bishops in the Councils of Carthage in his time, who re-baptized those Baptized by Heretics! And consider with all that in those times many were called Heretics whom we call but Schismatics, that drew Disciples after them into separated1 bodies and parties, speaking perverse things, though not contrary to the very Essentials of Religion. I justify not their opinion. But if so many holy Bishops counted the very Baptism of such a nullity, be not too severe and censorious against those that go not all so far from an insufficient or ungodly, or grossly scandalous man, for the mee• preservation of their own souls.
The third instance shall be that of Cyprian and all the worthy Bishops in the Councils of Carthage in his time, who re-baptized those Baptized by Hereticks! And consider with all that in those times many were called Hereticks whom we call but Schismaticks, that drew Disciples after them into separated1 bodies and parties, speaking perverse things, though not contrary to the very Essentials of Religion. I justifie not their opinion. But if so many holy Bishops counted the very Baptism of such a nullity, be not too severe and censorious against those that go not all so far from an insufficient or ungodly, or grosly scandalous man, for the mee• preservation of their own souls.