A26892:6140
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.
Quest. 28. Who is the Judge of Controversies in the Church? 1. About the Exposition of the Scripture, and Doctrinal points in themselves: 2. About either Heresies, or wicked Practices, as they are charged on the persons who are accused of them: That is, 1. Antecedently to our Practice, by way of Regulation, 2. Or Consequently, by Judicial Sentence (and Execution) on Offenders.
Quest. 28. Who is the Iudge of Controversies in the Church? 1. About the Exposition of the Scripture, and Doctrinal points in themselves: 2. About either Heresies, or wicked Practices, as they are charged on the persons who are accused of them: That is, 1. Antecedently to our Practice, by way of Regulation, 2. Or Consequently, by Iudicial Sentence (and Execution) on Offenders.
I Have answered this question so oft, that I can persuade my self to no more than this short, yet clear solution.
I Have answered this question so oft, that I can perswade my self to no more than this short, yet clear solution.
The Papists use to cheat poor unlearned persons that cannot justly discern things that differ, by puzzling them with this confused ambiguous question. Some things they cunningly and falsely take for granted, As that there is such a thing on Earth, as a Political Universal Church, headed by any Mortal Governor. Some things they shuffle together in equivocal words. They confound, 1. Public Judgement of Decision, and private judgement of discerning. 2. The Magistrates Judgement of Church-controversies, and the Pastors, and the several Cases, and Ends, and Effects of their several judgements. 3. Church-judgement as Directive to a particular Church, and as a means of the Concord of several Churches. Which being but distinguished, a few words will serve to clear the difficulty.