A26892:6762
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.
Answ. The question concerneth not the Lawfulness of Imposing, but of using forms imposed. And 1. It is not unlawful to use them merely on that account because they are imposed or commanded, without some greater reason of the unlawfulness. For else it would be unlawful for any other to use imposed forms; as for a Scholar or Child, if the Master or Parent impose them, or for the Congregation when the Pastor imposeth them, which is not true.
Answ. THe question concerneth not the Lawfulness of Imposing, but of using forms imposed. And 1. It is not unlawful to use them meerly on that account because they are imposed or commanded, without some greater reason of the unlawfulness. For else it would be unlawful for any other to use imposed forms; as for a Scholar or Child, if the Master or Parent impose them, or for the Congregation when the Pastor imposeth them, which is not true.
2. The using of Imposed forms may by other accidents be sometimes good and sometimes evil, as the Accidents are that make it so.
1. These accidents may make it evil. 1. When the form is bad for matter or manner, and we voluntarily prefer it before that which is better, being willing of the imposition. 2. When we do it to gratify our slothfulness, or to cover our wilful ignorance and disability. 3. When we voluntarily obey and strengthen any unlawful usurping Pastors or powers that impose it without authority, and so encourage Church-tyranny. 4 When we choose a singular form imposed by some singular Pastor, and avoid that which the rest of the Churches agree in, at a time when it may tend to division and offence. 5. When the weakness and offence of the Congregation is such, that they will not join with us in the imposed form, and so by using it, we drive them from all public Worship or divide them.