A26892:6709
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.
Quest. 70. Is there any such thing in the Church, as a rank or Classis, or Species of Church members at age, who are not to be admitted to the Lords Table, but only to hearing the Word and Prayer, between Infant members, and adult confirmed ones?
Answ. Some have excogitated such a classis or species or order, for convenience, as a prudent necessary thing: Because to admit all to the Lords Table they think dangerous on one side; And to cast all that are unfit for it out of the Church, they think dangerous on the other side, and that which the people would not bear. Therefore to preserve the reverence of the Sacrament, and to preserve their own and the Churches peace, they have contrived this middle way or rank. And indeed the controversy seemeth to be more about the title (whether it may be called a middle order of mere Learners and Worshippers,) than about the Matter. I have occasionally written more of it than I can here stay to recite: And the accurate handling of it requireth more words, than I will here use. This breviate therefore shall be all.
Answ. SOme have excogitated such a classis or species or order, for convenience, as a prudent necessary thing: Because to admit all to the Lords Table they think dangerous on one side; And to cast all that are unfit for it out of the Church, they think dangerous on the other side, and that which the people would not bear. Therefore to preserve the reverence of the Sacrament, and to preserve their own and the Churches peace, they have contrived this middle way or rank. And indeed the controversie seemeth to be more about the title (whether it may be called a middle order of meer Learners and Worshippers,) than about the Matter. I have occasionally written more of it than I can here stay to recite: And the accurate handling of it requireth more words, than I will here use. This breviate therefore shall be all.