A26892:6620
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.
But 1. It is a Ministerial power, of a Messenger or Servant, who hath a commission to deliver his1 Masters commands and exhortations.
2. As it is over the Laity or flocks, it is a power in the sacred Assemblies to Teach the people by1 office, and to be their Priests or Guides in holy Worship. 3. And to Rule the Worship-actions for the time, length, method, and orderly performance of them.
3. As to particular persons, it is the power of the Church Keys, which is, 1. To judge who is meet to be by Baptism taken in to the Church, 2. To reprove, exhort and instruct those that by vice or ignorance, in order to Repentance, or Knowledge, or confirmation do need the Pastoral help. 3. To judge who is to be forbidden Church-communion as impenitent; or at •east, with whom that Church must be forbidden to communicate. 4. To judge who is meet for Absolution as a penitent. 5. To deliver men personally a sealed pardon from Christ in his two Sacraments. 6. To visit the sick, and comfort the sad, and resolve the doubting, and help the poor. This is the true Church Government, which is like a Philosophers or Schoolmasters in his School among volunteers, supposing them to have no power of the rod or violence, but only to take in or put out of their Schools: And what eed is there of an Universal, Patriarchal or National Head, to do any of this work, which is but the Government of a personal Teacher and Conductor; and which worketh only on the Conscience?