A26892:6974
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. 101. Is it lawful to observe stated times of fasting imposed by others, without extraordinary occasion? And particularly, Lent?
Answ. Remember that I here meddle not with the question how far it is lawful for Rulers to1 impose such Fasts on others; save only to say, 1. That it is undoubtedly fit for Kings to do it by Precepts, and Churches by Consent, in extraordinary cases of defection, sin or judgements. 2. That it is undoubtedly sinful usurpation, for either Pope▪ or any pretended Ecclesiastical Universal Rulers, to impose such on the Universal Church (Because there are no Universal Rulers). Or for a neighbour Bishop by usurpation to impose it on a neighbour Church. 3. And that it is sinful in all or many Churches, to make by their Agreements such things to be necessary to their Union or Communion with their neighbour Churches, so that they will take all those for Schismatics that differ from them in such indifferent things. But as to the Using of such fasts (omitting the imposing) I say,
Answ. REmember that I here meddle not with the question how far it is lawful for Rulers to1 impose such Fasts on others; save only to say, 1. That it is undoubtedly fit for Kings to do it by Precepts, and Churches by Consent, in extraordinary cases of defection, sin or judgements. 2. That it is undoubtedly sinful usurpation, for either Pope▪ or any pretended Ecclesiastical Universal Rulers, to impose such on the Universal Church (Because there are no Universal Rulers). Or for a neighbour Bishop by usurpation to impose it on a neighbour Church. 3. And that it is sinful in all or many Churches, to make by their Agreements such things to be necessary to their Union or Communion with their neighbour Churches, so that they will take all those for Schismaticks that differ from them in such indifferent things. But as to the Using of such fasts (omitting the imposing) I say,