A26892:6542
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.
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.
Answ. Either you mean [Another instead of this, as a Competitor,] or [Another part conjunct with these parts.]
1. If the first be your sense, then you have two works to do: 1. To prove that these before mentioned were Mutable Institutions, or that they were settled but disjunctively with some other, and that the choice was left indifferent to men. 2. To prove the Institution of your other form (which you suppose left with this to mens free choice).
1. If the first be your sense, then you have two works to do: 1. To prove that these before mentioned were Mutable Institutions, or that they were setled but disjunctively with some other, and that the choice was left indifferent to men. 2. To prove the Institution of your other form (which you suppose left with this to mens free choice).
But I have already proved, that both the General and particular Church form are settled for continuance as unchangeable Ordinances of God. I suppose you doubt not of the continuance of Christs Supremacy, and •o of the Universal form: And if you will prove that Church Assemblies with their Pastors may cease, and some other way supply the room, you must be strange and singular undertakers.1 The other two parts of the Government (by General Officers, and by Consociation of Churches) are more disputed; But it is the Circumstances of the last only that is controverted and not the thing; And for the other I shall now add nothing to what I have said elsewhere.
But I have already proved, that both the General and particular Church form are setled for continuance as unchangeable Ordinances of God. I suppose you doubt not of the continuance of Christs Supremacy, and o of the Universal form: And if you will prove that Church Assemblies with their Pastors may cease, and some other way supply the room, you must be strange and singular undertakers.