A26892:6572
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.
2. These Councils at first were the Emperors Councils called to direct him what to settle in Church orders by his own power: But they were turned to claim an imposing authority of their own to command the Churches as by commission from God.
2. These Councils at first were the Emperours Councils called to direct him what to setle in Church orders by his own power: But they were turned to claim an imposing authority of their own to command the Churches as by commission from God.
3. These Councils at first, were only for Counsel, or for Agreement by way of contractor mutual ⟨p. 835⟩Consent to the particular Bishops: But they degenerated into a form of Government, and claimed a Ruling or Commanding power.
4. The Patriarchs, Primates and Metropolitans, at first claimed but a power about circumstantials, extrinsical to the Pastoral office, such as is the Timing and Placing of Councils, the si•ting above others, &c. And the exercise of some part of the Magistrates power committed to them, that is, the deposing of other Bishops or Pastors from their station of such Liberty and Countenance as the Magistrate may grant or deny as there is cause. But in time they degenerated to claim the spiritual power of the Keys, over the other Bishops; in point of Ordination, Excommunication, Absolution.
4. The Patriarcks, Primates and Metropolitans, at first claimed but a power about circumstantials, extrinsical to the Pastoral office, such as is the Timing and Placing of Councils, the si•ting above others, &c. And the exercise of some part of the Magistrates power committed to them, that is, the deposing of other Bishops or Pastors from their station of such Liberty and Countenance as the Magistrate may grant or deny as there is cause. But in time they degenerated to claim the spiritual power of the Keys, over the other Bishops; in point of Ordination, Excommunication, Absolution.