A26892:6908
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. 91. What if the Pastor excommunicate a man, and the people will not forbear his Communion, as thinking him unjustly Excommunicated?
Answ. 1. Either the Pastor or the people are in the Error. 2. Either the person is a dangerous Heretic or grossly wicked, or not. 3. Either the people do own the Error or sin, for which he is excommunicated, or only judge the person not guilty. 4. The Pastors, and the peoples part in the execution must be distinguished. And so I conclude,
Answ. 1. EIther the Pastor or the people are in the Errour. 2. Either the person is a dangerous Heretick or grosly wicked, or not. 3. Either the people do own the Errour or sin, for which he is excommunicated, or only judge the person not guilty. 4. The Pastors, and the peoples part in the execution must be distinguished. And so I conclude,
1. That if the Pastor err and wrong the people he must repent, and give them satisfaction: But if it be their error and obstinacy, then 2. If the Pastor foreknow that the people will dissent, in some small dispensable cases he may forbear to excommunicate one that deserveth it: or if he know it after, that they will not forbear Communion with the person, he may go on in his office, and be satisfied that he hath discharged his own duty, and leave them under the guilt of their own faults. 3. But if it be an intolerable wickedness or Heresy (as Arianism, Socinianism, &c.) and the people own the error or sin as well as the person; the Pastor is then to admonish them also, and by all means to endeavour to bring them to Repentance; And if they remain impenitent to renounce Communion with them and desert them. 4. But if they own not the crime, but only think the person injured, the Pastor must give them the proof for their satisfaction; And if they remain unsatisfied, he may proceed in his office as before.