A26892:7022
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.
I. 1. A Minister is obliged to Christ and the Universal Church for Life, (durante vita,) with this exception, if God disable him not. 2. But as a Pastor he is not obliged to this or that flock for life. There is no such command or example in Gods Word.
II. To the second: 1. It is lawful to oblige our selves to a people for life in some cases, conditionally; that is, If God do not apparently call us away. 2. But it is never lawful to do it Absolutely: 1. Because we shall engage our selves against God; against his power over us, and interest in us, and his wisdom that must guide us. God may call us whither he please: And though now he speak not by supernatural revelation, yet he may do it by providential alterations. 2. And we shall else oblige our selves against the Universal Church, to which we are more strictly bound, than to any particular Church, and whose good may oblige us to remove. 3. Yea, we may bind our selves to the hurt of that Church it self; seeing it may become its interest to part with us. 4. And we should so oblige our selves against our duty to authority, which may remove us.
III. To the third question I answer, 1. A Pastor may not causelessly remove, nor for his own worldly commodity when it is to the hurt of the Church and hinderance of the Gospel. 2. When he hath just cause, he must acquaint the people with it, and seek their satisfaction and consent. 3. But if he cannot procure it, he may remove without it: As 1. When he is sure that the interest of the Gospel and Universal Church require it: 2. Or that just authority doth oblige him to it.
III. To the third question I answer, 1. A Pastor may not causelesly remove, nor for his own worldly commodity when it is to the hurt of the Church and hinderance of the Gospel. 2. When he hath just cause, he must acquaint the people with it, and seek their satisfaction and consent. 3. But if he cannot procure it, he may remove without it: As 1. When he is sure that the interest of the Gospel and Universal Church require it: 2. Or that just authority doth oblige him to it.