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Richard Baxter
A Christian Directory
Part 3
Question 25
p. 801

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

A26892:6124

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 25: Quest. 25. Whether Canons be Laws? And Pastors have a Legislative Power?

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:6121–6136 of 9,947

:6121p. 801

8. There is no power on earth under Christ, that hath Authority to make Universal Laws; to bind the whole Church on all the earth, or all mankind. Because there is no Universal Sovereign, Civil or Spiritual, Personal or Collective.

8. There is no power on earth under Christ, that hath Authority to make Universal Laws; to bind the whole Church on all the earth, or all mankind. Because there is no Universal Soveraign, Civil or Spiritual, Personal or Collective.

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9. Therefore it is no Schism but Loyalty to Christ, to renounce or separate from such a society of¹ Usurpation; nor no disobedience or rebellion, to deny them obedience.

1☜

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10. Pastors may and must be obeyed in things Lawful as Magistrates, if the King make them Magistrates: Though I think it unmeet for them to accept a Magistracy with the Sword, except in case of some rare necessity.

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Cited: :6124
On this page: :6121–6136
Section: :6110–6128
Whole work: 9,947 passages

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Richard Baxter, A Christian Directory (London, 1673), pt. 3, q. 25, p. 801. 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.

11. Is Pope, Patriarchs or Pastors shall usurp any of the Kings Authority, Loyalty to Christ and him, and the Love of the Church and State, oblige us to take part with Christ and the King against such Usurpation, but only by lawful means, in the compass of our proper place and Calling.

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12. The Canons made by the Councils of many Churches, have a double nature; As they are made for the people and the subjects of the Pastors, they are a sort of Laws: That is, They oblige by the derived Authority of the Pastors: Because the Pastors of several Churches do not Lose any of¹ their Power by their Assembling, but exercise it with the greater advantage of Concord. But as they are made only to oblige the present or absent Pastors who separatedly are of equal Office power, so they are no Laws, except in an equivocal sense, but only Agreements or Contracts. So Bishop Usher profest his judgement to be: And before him the Council of Carthage in Cyprian's time: But it needs no proof, no more than that a Convention of Kings may make no Laws to bind the Kings of England, but Contracts only.

12. The Canons made by the Councils of many Churches, have a double nature; As they are made for the people and the subjects of the Pastors, they are a sort of Laws: That is, They oblige by the derived Authority of the Pastors: Because the Pastors of several Churches do not Lose any of¹ their Power by their Assembling, but exercise it with the greater advantage of Concord. But as they are made only to oblige the present or absent Pastors who separatedly are of equal Officepower, so they are no Laws, except in an equivocal sense, but only Agreements or Contracts. So Bishop Usher profest his judgement to be: And before him the Council of Carthage in Cyprians time: But it needs no proof, no more than that a Convention of Kings may make no Laws to bind the Kings of England, but Contracts only.

1Grotius d• I• perio sum. pot. circ. •acr. most solidly resolveth this Question.

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13. But yet we are aliunde obliged even by God, to keep these Agreements in things lawful, for the Churches peace and concord, when greater contrary reasons, à fine, do not disoblige us. For when God saith, You shall keep Peace and Concord, and keep Lawful Covenants; The Canons afford us the Minor; [But these are Lawful Contracts or Agreements, and means of the Churches Peace and Concord:] Therefore (saith Gods Law) you shall observe them. So though the Contracts (as of Husband and Wife, Buyer and Seller, &c.) be not Laws, yet that is a Law of God which bindeth us to keep them.

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14. Seeing that even the obliging Commands of Pastors may not by them be enforced by the Sword,¹ but work by the power of Divine Authority or Commission manifested, and by holy Reason, and Love, therefore it is most modest and fit for Pastors (who must not Lord it over Gods heritage, but be examples to all) to take the Lower name of Authoritative Directions, and persuasions, rather than of Laws: Especially in a time when Papal Usurpation maketh such ruinating use of that name, and Civil Magistrates use to take it in the nobler and narrower sense.

14. Seing that even the obliging Commands of Pastors may not by them be enforced by the Sword,¹ but work by the power of Divine Authority or Commission manifested, and by holy Reason, and Love, therefore it is most modest and fit for Pastors (who must not Lord it over Gods heritage, but be examples to all) to take the Lower name of Authoritative Directions, and perswasions, rather than of Laws: Especially in a time when Papal Usurpation maketh such ruinating use of that name, and Civil Magistrates use to take it in the nobler and narrower sense.

11 Pet. 5. 2▪ 3. 2 Cor. 1. 24.

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The Questions, 1. [If one Pastor make Orders for his Church, and the multitudes or Synods be against them: which must be obeyed] you may gather from what is said before of Ordination. And 2. [What are the particulars proper Materially to the Magistrates decision, and what to the Pastors,] I here pass by.

THe Questions, 1. [If one Pastor make Orders for his Church, and the multitudes or Synods be against them: which must be obeyed] you may gather from what is said before of Ordination. And 2. [What are the particulars proper Materially to the Magistrates decision, and what to the Pastors,] I here pass by.

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Quest. 26. Whether Church-Canons, or Pastors Directive Determinations of matters pertinent to their Office, do bind the Conscience? And what accidents will disoblige the people; you may gather before in the same case about Magistrates Laws, in the Political Directions: As also by an impartial transferring the Case to the Precepts of Parents and Schoolmasters to Children; without respect to their Power of the Rod (or supposing that they had none such.) Quest. 27. What are Christs appointed means of the Unity and Concord▪ of the Universal Church, and consequently of its preservation, if there be no Humane Universal Head and Governor of it upon Earth? And if Christ have instituted none such, Whether Prudence and the Law of Nature oblige not the Church to set up and maintain an Universal Ecclesiastical Monarchy or Aristocracy? Seeing that which is Every mans work, is as No mans, and omitted by all?

Quest. 26. Whether Church-Canons, or Pastors Directive Determinations of matters pertinent to their Office, do bind the Conscience? And what accidents will disoblige the people; you may gather before in the same case about Magistrates Laws, in the Political Directions: As also by an impartial transferring the Case to the Precepts of Parents and Schoolmasters to Children; without respect to their Power of the Rod (or supposing that they had none such.) Quest. 27. What are Christs appointed means of the Unity and Concord▪ of the Universal Church, and consequently of its preservation, if there be no Humane Universal Head and Governour of it upon Earth? And if Christ have instituted none such, Whether Prudence and the Law of Nature oblige not the Church to set up and maintain an Universal Ecclesiastical Monarchy or Aristocracy? Seeing that which is Every mans work, is as No mans, and omitted by all?

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I. TO the first question I must refer you in part to two small popular yet satisfactory Tractates¹ written long ago, that I do not one thing too oft. Briefly now,

1Catholic Unity and The True Catholic and Church described.Catholick Unity and The True Catholick and Church described.

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1. The Unity of the Universal Church, is founded in, and maintained by their Common Relation to Christ the Head, (as the Kingdom in its Relation to the King).

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2. A Concord in Degrees of Goodness, and in Integrals and Accidentals of Christianity, will never be obtained on earth, where the Church is still imperfect: And perfect Holiness and Wisdom, are necessary to Perfect Harmony and Concord, Phil. 3. 12, 13, 14.

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3. Experience hath long taught the Church, if it will learn, that the claim of a Papal Headship and Government over the Church Universal, hath been the famous incendiary, and hinderer of Concord in the Christian world.

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4. The means to attain such a measure of concord and harmony which is to be hoped for, or endeavoured upon earth, I have so distinctly, fully, and yet briefly described (with the contrary Impediments) in my Treatise of the Reasons of Christian Religion Part 7. Chap. 14. pag. 470, 471. in about two leaves, that I will not recite them. If you say, You are not bound to read the Books which I refer you to; I answer, Nor thi•.

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II. To the latter Question I answer, 1. To set up such an Universal Head on the supposition of natural Reasons and Humane Policy is, 1. To cross Christs Institution, and the Laws of the Holy Ghost, as hath been long proved by Protestants from the Scripture.

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2. It is Treason against Christs Sovereign Office to usurp such a Vicegerency without his Commission.

2. It is Treason against Christs Soveraign Office to usurp such a Vicegerency without his Commission.

Puritans

England

Pastor at Kidderminster and prolific nonconformist author.

Transcription key

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