A26892:6586
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.
Obj. A particular Church then I would describe thus [It is a society of men joined together in the visible profession of the true faith, having a right to, and enjoying among them, the ordinances of the Gospel.]
Obj. A particular Church then I would describe thus [It is a society of men joyned together in the visible profession of the true faith, having a right to, and enjoying among them, the ordinances of the Gospel.]
Answ. 1. When you tell us by your description what you will mean by [a particular Church] we may understand your denomination: But yet while it is unusual, you must not expect that other men so use the Word. Had you called your description a definition, I would have asked you, 1. Whether by [a society] you mean not strictly [a Political society] constituted by a Pars Gubernans, & gubernata? If not, it's no Church save equivocally. If so, should not the Pars regens which is constitutive have been put in? If private men join together, &c. it makes but a community. 2. A right to Gospel Ordinances is supposed, but need not be in the definition. 3. The enjoying of them, is not essential to a Church. The Relation may continue, when the enjoyment is a long time hindered. 4. [Among them] is a very ambiguous word: Is it among them in the same place? or in the same Country or Kingdom? or in the same world? If you difference and define them not, by Relation to the same Bishops or Pastors, and by intended Personal holy Communion, your description confoundeth the universal Church, as well as the National, with a Particular Church: For the whole Christian world, is [a Society of men joining together in the visible profession of the true faith, having a right to, and enjoying among them the Ordinances of the Gospel.]
Answ. 1. When you tell us by your description what you will mean by [a particular Church] we may understand your denomination: But yet while it is unusual, you must not expect that other men so use the Word. Had you called your description a definition, I would have asked you, 1. Whether by [a society] you mean not strictly [a Political society] constituted by a Pars Gubernans, & gubernata? If not, it's no Church save equivocally. If so, should not the Pars regens which is constitutive have been put in? If private men joyn together, &c. it makes but a community. 2. A right to Gospel Ordinances is supposed, but need not be in the definition. 3. The enjoying of them, is not essential to a Church. The Relation may continue, when the enjoyment is a long time hindered. 4. [Among them] is a very ambiguous word: Is it among them in the same place? or in the same Countrey or Kingdom? or in the same world? If you difference and define them not, by Relation to the same Bishops or Pastors, and by intended Personal holy Communion, your description confoundeth the universal Church, as well as the National, with a Particular Church: For the whole Christian world, is [a Society of men joyning together in the visible profession of the true faith, having a right to, and enjoying among them the Ordinances of the Gospel.]