A26892:6728
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.
Prop. 6. Though the Sacrament of the Lords Supper seal not another, but the same Covenant that baptism sealeth; yet are there some further truths therein expressed, and some more particular exercises of faith in Christs Sacrifice and coming, &c. and of Hope,▪ and Love, and Gratitude, &c. requisite. Therefore the same qualifications which will serve for Baptism, Justification, and Adoption, and Salvation, are not enough for the right use of Church communion in the Lords Supper, the one being the Sacrament of initiation and our new birth; the other of our Confirmation, Exercise and Growth in Grace.
7. Whether persons be baptized in Infancy or at age, if they do not before understand these higher mysteries, they must stay from the exercise of them till they understand them: And so with most there must be a space of time between their Baptism and fuller Communion.
8. But the same that we say of the Lords Supper must be said of other parts of Worship; Singing Psalms, Praise, Thanksgiving, &c. men must learn them, before they can practise them: And usually these as Eucharistical acts concur with the Lords Supper.
9. Whether you will call men in this state, Church-members of a middle rank and order, between the Baptized, and the Communicants, is but a lis de nomine, a verbal Controversy. It is granted that such a middle sort of men there are in the Church.