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Richard Baxter
A Christian Directory
Part 3
Question 56
p. 830

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

A26892:6516

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 56: Quest. 56. Is any Form of Church Government of Divine Institution

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.

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3. Moreover it is of Divine appointment, that these Churches hold the nearest Concord, and help each other as much as they can; whether by Synods, or other meet ways of correspondency. And though this be not a distinct Government, it is a distinct mode of Governing.

3. Moreover it is of Divine appointment, that these Churches hold the nearest Concord, and help each other as much as they can; whether by Synods, or other meet wayes of correspondency. And though this be not a distinct Government, it is a distinct mode of Governing.

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Object. But▪ that there be Pastors with fixed Churches or Assemblies is not of the Law of Nature.

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Answ. 1. Hath Christ no Law but the Law of Nature? Wherein then differ the Christian Religion and the Heathenish? 2. Suppose but Christ to be Christ, and man to be what he is, and Nature it self will tell us that this is the fittest way for ordering the Worship of God: For Nature saith, God must be solemnly and ordinarily worshipped, and that qualified persons should be the official Guides in the performance: And that people who need such conduct and private oversight besides, should where they live have their own stated Overseers.

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On this page: :6513–6528
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Richard Baxter, A Christian Directory (London, 1673), pt. 3, q. 56, p. 830. 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

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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.

Object. But particular Congregations are not de primaria intentione divina: For if the whole world could join together in the public Worship of God, no doubt that would be properly a Church: But particular Congregations are only accidental, in reference to Gods intention of having a Church, because of the Impossibility of all mens joining together for Ordinances, &c.

Object. But particular Congregations are not de primaria intentione divina: For if the whole world could joyn together in the publick Worship of God, no doubt that would be properly a Church: But particular Congregations are only accidental, in reference to Gods intention of having a Church, because of the Impossibility of all mens joyning together for Ordinances, &c.

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Answ. 1. The question with me is not whether they be of primary Intention, but whether stated Churches headed with their proper Bishops or Pastors be not of Gods institution in the Scripture?

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2. This Objection confirmeth it, and not denieth it. For 1. It confesseth that there is a necessity of joining for Gods Worship: 2. And an Impossibility that all the world should so join: 3. But if the whole world could so join, it would be properly a Church: So that it confesseth that [to be a society joined for Gods public Worship,] is [to be properly a Church.] And we confess all this: If all the world could be one family, they might have one Master, or one Kingdom, they might have one King. But when it is confessed, that 1. A Natural Impossibility of an Universal Assembly necessitateth more particular assemblies: 2. And that Christ hath instituted such actually in his Word, what more can a considerate man require?

2. This Objection confirmeth it, and not denyeth it. For 1. It confesseth that there is a necessity of joyning for Gods Worship: 2. And an Impossibility that all the world should so joyn: 3. But if the whole world could so joyn, it would be properly a Church: So that it confesseth that [to be a society joyned for Gods publick Worship,] is [to be properly a Church.] And we confess all this: If all the world could be one family, they might have one Master, or one Kingdom, they might have one King. But when it is confessed, that 1. A Natural Impossibility of an Universal Assembly necessitateth more particular assemblies: 2. And that Christ hath instituted such actually in his Word, what more can a considerate man require?

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3. I do not understand this distinction, de primaria intentione divina, and accidental, &c. The Primary Intention is properly of the Ultimate End only: And no man thinketh that a Law de mediis, of the means, is no Law, or that God hath made no Laws de mediis: For Christ as a Mediator is a Means. But suppose it be limited to the Matter of Church Laws: If this be the meaning of it, that it is not the principal means, but a subordinate means, or that it is not instituted only propter finem ultimum, no more than propter se, but also in order to a higher thing as its immediate end, we make no question of that. Assemblies are not only that there may be assemblies; but for the Worship and Offices there performed: And those for Man; And all for God. But what or all this? Hath God made no Laws for subordinate means? No Christian denieth it.

3. I do not understand this distinction, de primaria intentione divina, and accidental, &c. The Primary Intention is properly of the Ultimate End only: And no man thinketh that a Law de mediis, of the means, is no Law, or that God hath made no Laws de mediis: For Christ as a Mediator is a Means. But suppose it be limited to the Matter of Church Laws: If this be the meaning of it, that it is not the principal means, but a subordinate means, or that it is not instituted only propter finem ultimum, no more than propter se, but also in order to a higher thing as its immediate end, we make no question of that. Assemblies are not only that there may be assemblies; but for the Worship and Offices there performed: And those for Man; And all for God. But what or all this? Hath God made no Laws for subordinate means? No Christian denyeth it.

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Therefore the Learned and Judicious Disputer of this point declareth himself for what I say, when he saith, [I engage not in the Controversy, Whether a particular Congregation be the first political ¹Church or no: It sufficeth for my purpose, that there are other Churches besides—The thing in question is, Whether there be no other Church, but such particular Congregations.] Where it seemeth granted, that such particular Churches are of Divine institution: And for other Churches I shall say more anon. In the mean time note, that the question is but de nomine here, whether the Name [Church] be fit for other societies, and not de re.

Therefore the Learned and Judicious Disputer of this point declareth himself for what I say, when he saith, [I engage not in the Controversie, Whether a particular Congregation be the first political ¹Church or no: It sufficeth for my purpose, that there are other Churches besides—The thing in question is, Whether there be no other Church, but such particular Congregations.] Where it seemeth granted, that such particular Churches are of Divine institution: And for other Churches I shall say more anon. In the mean time note, that the question is but de nomine here, whether the Name [Church] be fit for other societi•s, and not de re.

1Dr. Stillingflects I•en. p. 154 so p. 170. By Church here I mean not a particular Congregation, &c. So h g•anteth that 1▪ the Universal Church, 2. Particular Congregations are of Divine Institution, one ex intentione primaria, and the other as he calls it accidentally, but yet of Natural necessity.

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But lest any should grow to the boldness to deny that [Christ hath instituted Christian stated Societies consisting of Pastors and flocks, associate for personal Communion in public Worship and holy living.] (which is my definition of a particular Church, as not so confined to one assembly, but that it may be in divers, and yet not consisting of divers such distinct stated assemblies with their distinct Pastors, nor of such as can have no personal communion, but only by Delegates): I prove it thus from the Word of God.

But lest any should grow to the boldness to deny that [Christ hath instituted Christian stated Societies consisting of Pastors and flocks, associate for personal Communion in publick Worship and holy living.] (which is my detinition of a particular Church, as not so confined to one assembly, but that it may be in divers, and yet not consisting of divers such distinct stated assemblies with their distinct Pastors, nor of such as can have no personal communion, but only by Delegates): I prove it thus from the Word of God.

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1. The Apostles were commissioned by Christ to deliver his commands to all the Churches, and settle them according to his will, John 20. 21.—Matth. 28. 19, 20, &c.

1. The Apostles were commissioned by Christ to deliver his commands to all the Churches, and settle them according to his will, Iohn 20. 21.—Matth. 28. 19, 20, &c.

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2. These commissioned persons had the promise of an infallible Spirit for the due performance of their work, John 16. 13, 14, 15 . & 15. 26 . & 14. 26. Matth. 28. 20.

2. These commissioned persons had the promise of an infallible Spirit for the due performance of their work, Iohn 16. 13, 14, 15 . & 15. 26 . & 14. 26. Matth. 28. 20.

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3. These Apostles where ever the success of the Gospel prepared them materials, did settle Christian stated societies, consisting of Pastors or Elders with their flocks, associated for personal communion in public worship, and holy living. These settled Churches they gave orders to for their direction and preservation, and reformation: These they took the chief care of themselves, and exhorted their Elders to fidelity in their work. They gave command that none should forsake such assemblies, and they so fully describe them, as that they cannot easily be misunderstood. All this is proved, Acts 14. 23. Titus 1. 5. Rom. 16. 1. 1 Cor. 11. 18, 20. 22, 26. 1 Cor. 14. 4, 5, 12, 19, 23, 28, 33, 34. Col. 4. 16. Acts 11. 26 . & 13. 1. 1 Cor. 16. 1, 2. Acts 14. 27 . & 15. 3. to omit many more. Here are proofs enow that such particular Churches were de facto setled by the Apostles, Heb. 10. 25. Forsake not the assembling of your selves together. So James 2. 2. they are called Synagogues.

3. These Apostles where ever the success of the Gospel prepared them materials, did settle Christian stated societies, consisting of Pastors or Elders with their flocks, associated for personal communion in publick worship, and holy living. These setled Churches they gave orders to for their direction and preservation, and reformation: These they took the chief care of themselves, and exhorted their Elders to fidelity in their work. They gave command that none should forsake such assemblies, and they so fully describe them, as that they cannot easily be misunderstood. All this is proved, Acts 14. 23. Titus 1. 5. Rom. 16. 1. 1 Cor. 11. 18, 20. 22, 26. 1 Cor. 14. 4, 5, 12, 19, 23, 28, 33, 34. Col. 4. 16. Acts 11. 26 . & 13. 1. 1 Cor. 16. 1, 2. Acts 14. 27 . & 15. 3. to omit many more. Here are proofs enow that such particular Churches were de facto setled by the Apostles, Heb. 10. 25. Forsake not the assembling of your selves together. So Iames 2. 2. they are called Synagogues.

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2. It is confessed that there is a natural necessity of such stated Churches or Assemblies, supposing but the Institution of the Worship it self which is there performed: And if so, then we may say that the Law of Nature it self doth partly require them.

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1. It is of the Law of Nature, that God be publicly worshipped as most Expositors of the fourth Commandment do confess.

1. It is of the Law of Nature, that God be publickly worshipped as most Expositors of the fourth Commandment do confess.

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2. It is of the Law of Nature that the people be taught to know God and their duty, by such as are able and fit to teach them.

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3. The Law of Nature requireth, that man being a sociable creature, and conjunction working strongest affections, we should use our sociableness in the greatest matters, and by conjunction help the zeal of our prayers and praises of God.

Puritans

England

Pastor at Kidderminster and prolific nonconformist author.

Transcription key

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