A26892:6554
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.
3. If Magistrates by authority, or the Churches by Agreement, shall distribute the Country for conveniency into Parishes (not making all to be Church-members that dwell in those Precincts, but determining that all persons that are fit in those proximities, and they only, shall be members of that particular Church) and then shall denominate the Church from this accident of place, it is but what is left to their discretion.
3. If Magistrates by authority, or the Churches by Agreement, shall distribute the Countrey for conveniency into Parishes (not making all to be Church-members that dwell in those Pr•cincts, but determining that all persons that are fit in those proximities, and they only, shall be members of that particular Church) and then shall denominate the Church from this accident of place, it is but what is left to their discretion.
4. And if the said Magistrates or Churches shall divide a Kingdom into Provinces, and say, that whereas God commandeth us the use of correspondencies, mutual advice and Synods, for the due help, concord and communion of Churches, and all things must be done in order and to edification; therefore we determine that so many Churches shall make up such a Synod, and the Churches of such a district shall make up another Synod, and so shall be specially related to each other for Concord as advisers, all this is but the prudent determining of Church circumstances or accidents left to man.
5. And if they shall appoint that either a Magistrate or one Pastor shall be for Order sake the appointer of the times and places of meeting, or the President of the Synod, to regulate and order proceedings, and keep peace, as is aforesaid, it is but an Accident of the Sacred Work which man may determine of. Therefore a Lay-man may be such a President or Regulator.