A26892:7046
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.
Part 3 › Question 107: Quest. 107. Who is to Call Synods, Princes, Pastors or People?
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.
2. The Pastors and people may not Call them, nor meet when the Magistrate forbiddeth it, except ⟨p. 870⟩when the necessity of the Church requireth it: Synods may profitably be stated for order, when it may be lawfully obtained (both as to limits of Place, numbers and Time): But these prudential Orders are not of stated necessity, but must give place to weightier reasons on the contrary.
2. The Pastors and people may not Call them, nor meet when the Magistrate forbiddeth it, except ⟨p. 870⟩when the necessity of the Church requireth it: Synods may profitably be stated for order, when it may be lawful•y obtained (both as to limits of Place, numbers and Time): But these prudential Orders are not of stated necessity, but must give place to weightier reasons on the contrary.
3. Synods themselves are not ordinarily necessary, by Nature or Institution (Let him that affirmeth it, prove it) But that which is statedly necessary is, The Concord of the Churches as the End, and a necessary correspondency of the Churches as the Means, and Synods when they may well be had, as a convenient sort of means.
4. When Synods cannot be had, or are needless, Messengers and Letters from Church to Church may keep up the Correspondency and Concord.