A26892:6588
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 Nation joining in the profession of Christianity is a true Church of God: whence it evidently followeth, that there must be a form of Ecclesiastical Government over a Nation as a Church, as well as of Civil Government over it, as a society governed by the same Laws—For every society must have its Government belonging to it as such a society: And the same reason that makes Government necessary in any particular Congregation will make it necessary for all the particular Congregations, joining together in one visible society, as a particular national Church. For the unity and peace of that Church, ought much more to be looked after than of any one particular Congregation, &c.
Obj. A Nation joyning in the profession of Christianity is a true Church of God: whence it evidently followeth, that there must be a form of Ecclesiastical Government over a Nation as a Church, as well as of Civil Government over it, as a society governed by the same Laws—For every society must have its Government belonging to it as such a society: And the same reason that makes Government necessary in any particular Congregation will make it necessary for all the particular Congregations, joyning together in one visible society, as a particular national Church. For the unity and peace of that Church, ought much more to be looked after than of any one particular Congregation, &c.
Answ. 1. From one absurdity many follow: our Controversy before was but of the Name: If an Accidental Royal or Civil Head may equivocally denominate an ecclesiastical society, and we grant you the use of an equivocal name (or rather the abuse) you will grow too hard upon us, if thence you will gather a necessity of a real Ecclesiastical policy, besides the Civil. Names abused insert not the things signified by an univocal term.
Answ. 1. From one absurdity many follow: our Controversie before was but of the Name: If an Accidental Royal or Civil Head may equivocally denominate an ecclesiastical society, and we grant you the use of an equivocal name (or rather the abuse) you will grow too hard upon us, if thence you will gather a necessity of a real Ecclesiastical policy, besides the Civil. Names abused insert not the things signified by an univocal term.