A26892:6599
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.
7. And why will not the same Argument carry it also, for one Universal visible Head of all the Churches in the World? at least as Lawful? At least as far as humane capacity and converse will allow? And who shall choose this Universal Head? And who can lay so fair a claim to it as the Pope? And if the form be indifferent, why may not the Churches by consent at least, set up one man as well as many? Whether you carry it to an Imperial Church, or a Papal, to a Patriarchal, or Provincial, or National, till you have proved it to be of Divine institution, (and Particular Churches to be unnecessary, alterable and of humane institution,) I shall never grant you that it is to be preferred before that which▪ is unquestionably of God. For though I easily grant that all the Churches of a Nation, Empire or the World, are to be more esteemed and carefully preserved, than one Bishops or Pastors particular Church; yet I will not grant you that your humane policy is more necessary to the safety of all these Churches than the Divine. For the safety of these Churches may be better preserved by Gods three great means (1. The polity of particular Churches with the conduct of their present faithful Bishops or Pastors; 2. The loving Consociation of Neighbour Churches for Concord; 3. The protection and countenance of Magistrates) without any new Church-form, (or National or Imperial or Universal Pastor) than with it.
Nay when that sort of Usurpation hath been the very Engine of dividing, corrupting and undoing the Christian Churches above a thousand years, we are not easily persuaded now, that yet it is either necessary or desirable.
Nay when that sort of Usurpation hath been the very Engine of dividing, corrupting and undoing the Christian Churches above a thousand years, we are not easily perswaded now, that yet it is either necessary or desirable.