A26892:6607
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.
3. I grant that the Bishops or Pastors may do some circumstances of their work by humane officers: As to facilitate their concord in Synods, by choosing one to preside, to choose time and place, to send messengers to take votes, to moderate disputes, to record agreements, &c. as aforesaid: And these circumstantials are the things that officers may be made for.
But the very modes and circumstances which are part of the work to which every Bishop or Pastor is obliged, he cannot commit to another; As to choose his text, subject, method, words, &c. These are parts of his own work: Though Concord in these is the work of many.
Now what is the work besides all these that we must have new Churches and offices made for? Is it to Govern all these Bishops and Churches? How? By the Word or by the Sword? If by the Sword, the Magistrate is to do it? If by the Word (or spiritual Authority) either God hath made such an office as Arch-bishops or General Bishops over many, or he hath not: If he have, we need no new humane office for it, God having provided for it already: If not, but God hath left all Bishops independent, and to learn of one another, as equals in Office, and unequal only in gifts, then either such an office is fit and necessary or not. If it be, you accuse God of omission in not appointing a Bishop over Bishops as well as a Bishop of the lowest order. If not, then by what reason or ⟨p. 838⟩power will you make new needless officers in the Church? When Cyprian and his Carthage Council so vehemently disclaimed being Episcopi Episcoporum?
Now what is the work besides all these that we must have new Churches and offices made for? Is it to Govern all these Bishops and Churches? How? By the Word or by the Sword? If by the Sword, the Magistrate is to do it? If by the Word (or spiritual Authority) either God hath made such an office as Arch-bishops or General Bishops over many, or he hath not: If he have, we need no new humane office for it, God having provided for it already: If not, but God hath left all Bishops independant, and to learn of one another, as equals in Office, and unequal only in gifts, then either such an office is fit and necessary or not. If it be, you accuse God of omission in not appointing a Bishop over Bishops as well as a Bishop of the lowest order. If not, then by what reason or