A26892:6580
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.
Answ. 1. Here observe, that the question is only of the Name (whether it may be called a Church) and not of the thing (whether all the Churches in a Kingdom may be under one King, which no sober man denieth).
Answ. 1. Here observe, that the question is only of the Name (whether it may be called a Church) and not of the thing (whether all the Churches in a Kingdom may be under one King, which no sober man denyeth).
2. Names are at mens disposal much. But confess I had rather the name had been used no otherwise, or for no other societies than Scripture useth it. My Reasons are 1. Because when Christ hath appropriated or specially applied one name to the sacred societies of his institution, it seemeth somewhat bold to make that name common to other societies. 2. Because it tendeth to confusion, misunderstanding, and to cherish errors and controversies in the Churches, when all names shall be made common or ambiguous, and holy things shall not be allowed any name proper to themselves, nor any thing can be known by a bare name without a description. If the name of Christ himself, should be used of every anointed King, it would seem not a little thus injurious to him. If the name, Bible, Scripture, Preachers. &c. be made common to all that the notation of the names may extend to, it will introduce the aforesaid inconveniences: so how shall we in common talk distinguish, between sacred societies of Divine institution and of humane, if you will allow us no peculiar name, but make that common which Christ hath chosen?
2. Names are at mens disposal much. But confess I had rather the name had been used no otherwise, or for no other societies than Scripture useth it. My Reasons are 1. Because when Christ hath appropriated or specially applyed one name to the sacred societies of his institution, it seemeth somewhat bold to make that name common to other societies. 2. Because it tendeth to confusion, misunderstanding, and to cherish errours and controversies in the Churches, when all names shall be made common or ambiguous, and holy things shall not be allowed any name proper to themselves, nor any thing can be known by a bare name without a description. If the name of Christ himself, should be used of every anointed King, it would seem not a little thus injurious to him. If the name, Bible, Scripture, Preachers. &c. be made common to all that the notation of the names may extend to, it will introduce the aforesaid inconveniences: so how shall we in common talk distinguish, between sacred societies of Divine institution and of humane, if you will allow us no peculiar name, but make that common which Christ hath chosen?