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Richard Baxter
A Christian Directory
Part 3
Question 171
p. 916

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,I. CHRISTIAN ETHICS (or private Duties.)II. CHRISTIAN OECONOMICKS (or Family Duties.)III. CHRISTIAN ECCLESIASTICS (or Church Duties.)IV. CHRISTIAN POLITICS (or Duties to our Rulers and Neighbours.)By RICHARD BAXTER.Mal. 2. 7▪ 8.The Priests lips should keep Knowledge, and they should seek the Law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts. But ye are departed out of the way: Ye have Caused many to stumble at the Law; ye have corrupted the Covenant of Levi—Matth. 13. 52.Every SCRIBE which is instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven, is like unto a man that is an Householder, which bringeth forth out of his Treasure things New and Old.Heb. 5. 13, 14.For every one that useth Milk is unskilful in the Word of Righteousness: for he is a Babe: But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age: Those who by reason of USE, have their senses exercised to discern both Good and Evil.2 Tim. 2. 14, 15, 16.Of these things put them in remembrance; charging them before God, that they STRIVE not about WORDS, to no profit, but to the subverting of the Hearers: Study to show thy self approved UNTO GOD, a Workman that needeth not to be ashamed, RIGHTLY DIVIDING the word of Truth. But shun profane and vain Babblings; for they will increase unto more Ungodliness, and their Word will eat as doth a Canker.2 Pet. 3. 16.In which (Pauls Epistles) are some things hard to be understood: which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures to their own destruction.LONDON, Printed, by Robert White, for Nevill Simmons, at the Sign of the Princes Arms in St. Pauls Church-yard. 1673.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,I. CHRISTIAN ETHICKS (or private Duties.)II. CHRISTIAN OECONOMICKS (or Family Duties.)III. CHRISTIAN ECCLESIASTICKS (or Church Duties.)IV. CHRISTIAN POLITICKS (or Duties to our Rulers and Neighbours.)By RICHARD BAXTER.Mal. 2. 7▪ 8.The Priests lips should keep Knowledge, and they should seek the Law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts. But ye are departed out of the way: Ye have Caused many to stumble at the Law; ye have corrupted the Covenant of Levi—Matth. 13. 52.Every SCRIBE which is instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven, is like unto a man that is an Housholder, which bringeth forth out of his Treasure things New and Old.Heb. 5. 13, 14.For every one that useth Milk is unskilful in the Word of Righteousness: for he is a Babe: But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age: Those who by reason of USE, have their senses exercised to discern both Good and Evil.2 Tim. 2. 14, 15, 16.Of these things put them in remembrance; charging them before God, that they STRIVE not aboutTitle page of A Christian Directory, London, 1673

A26892:7706

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.

Richard Baxter 1615–1691London: printed by Robert White for Nevill Simmons, 1673

[35], 929, [5], 214 p., [1] leaf of plates : port. · 1.2M words · Wing B1219 · ESTC R21847

Title page typeset from the transcription.

Part 3 › Question 171: Quest. 171. What is Sacrilege, and what not?Part 3 › Question 171: Quest. 171. What is Sacriledge, and what not?

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.

[ Earlier:7703–7718 of 9,947

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2. The next is alienating consecrated persons from the sacred work and office, by deposing Kings, or by unjust silencing or suspending true Ministers, or their casting off Gods work themselves. This is far greater sacrilege than alienating Lands or Utensils.

2. The next is alienating consecrated persons from the sacred work and office, by deposing Kings, or by unjust silencing or suspending true Ministers, or their casting off Gods work themselves. This is far greater sacriledge than alienating Lands or Utensils.

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3. The next is the unjust alienating of Temples, Utensils, Lands, days, which were separated by God himself.

3. The next is the unjust alienating of Temples, Utensils, Lands, dayes, which were separated by God himself.

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4. And next such as were justly consecrated by man; as is aforesaid in the degrees of Holiness.

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II. It is not Sacrilege, 1. To cease from the Ministry or other holy service, when sickness, disability of body, or violence utterly disable us.

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Cited: :7706
On this page: :7703–7718
Section: :7700–7708
Whole work: 9,947 passages

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Richard Baxter, A Christian Directory (London, 1673), pt. 3, q. 171, p. 916. EEBO-TCP A26892.

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The book

Title as printed: 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.
Author: Richard Baxter 1615–1691
Place: London
Printer: Robert White
Bookseller: Nevill Simmons
Year: 1673
Size: [35], 929, [5], 214 p., [1] leaf of plates : port.
Words: 1,175,050
Catalogue: Wing B1219 · ESTC R21847
Text: EEBO-TCP A26892

Passages: 9,947
Sections: 502

The author

Richard Baxter 1615–1691

The Reformers and Puritans in their own words, with every quotation checked against the page.

Texts transcribed from the original printings by the Text Creation Partnership (EEBO-TCP and Evans-TCP) and dedicated to the public domain (CC0).

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WORDS,

to no profit, but to the subverting of the Hearers: Study to shew thy self approved

UNTO GOD,

a Workman that needeth not to be ashamed,

RIGHTLY DIVIDING

the word of Truth. But shun profane and vain Bablings; for they will increase unto more Ungodliness, and their Word will eat as doth a Canker.

2 Pet. 3. 16.In which (Pauls Epistles) are some things hard to be understood: which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures to their own destruction.

LONDON, Printed, by Robert White, for Nevill Simmons, at the Sign of the Princes Arms in St. Pauls Church-yard. 1673.

II. It is not Sacriledge, 1. To cease from the Ministry or other holy service, when sickness, disability of body, or violence utterly disable us.

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2. Nor to alienate Temples, Lands, goods or utensils, when providence maketh it needful to the Churches good: so the fire in London hath caused a diminution of the number of Churches: so some Bishops of old, sold the Church plate to relieve the poor: And some Princes have sold some Church Lands to save the Church and state in the necessities of a lawful war.¹

1Matth. 12. 5.

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3. It is not Sacrilege to alienate that which man devoted, but God accepted not, nor owned as appropriate to him (which his prohibition of such a dedication is a proof of.) As if a man devote his wife to chastity, or his Son to the Ministry against their wills: or if a man Vow himself to the Ministry that is unable and hath no call: or if so much Lands or goods be consecrated, as is superfluous, useless and injurious to the common welfare and the state. Alienation in these cases is no sin.

3. It is not Sacriledge to alienate that which man devoted, but God accepted not, nor owned as appropriate to him (which his prohibition of such a dedication is a proof of.) As if a man devote his wife to chastity, or his Son to the Ministry against their wills: or if a man Vow himself to the Ministry that is unable and hath no call: or if so much Lands or goods be consecrated, as is superfluous, useless and injurious to the common wellfare and the state. Alienation in these cases is no sin.

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Quest. 172. Are all Religious and private meetings, forbidden by Rulers, unlawful Conventicles? Or are any such necessary?

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Answ. Though both such Meetings and our Prisons tell us how greatly we now differ about this point, in the application of it to persons and our present case, yet I know no difference in the doctrinal resolution of it among most sober Christians at all: (which makes our case strange.)

Answ. THough both such Meetings and our Prisons tell us how greatly we now differ about this point, in the application of it to persons and our present case, yet I know no difference in the doctrinal resolution of it among most sober Christians at all: (which makes our case strange.)

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For ought I know we are agreed,

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I. 1. That it is more to the honour of the Church and of Religion and of God, and more to our¹ safety and edification, to have Gods Worship performed solemnly, publicly and in great assemblies, than in a corner, secretly, and with few.

I. 1. That it is more to the honour of the Church and of Religion and of God, and more to our¹ safety and edification, to have Gods Worship performed solemnly, publickly and in great assemblies, than in a corner, secretly, and with few.

1Psal. 1. 2, 4, 5 . & 22. 25 . & 35. 18 . & 40. 9, 10. Act. 28. last. Heb. 10. 25. Act. 20. 7 . & 1. 15 . & 2. 44 1 Cor. 14. 23.

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2. That it is a great mercy therefore where the Rulers allow the Church such public Worship.

2. That it is a great mercy therefore where the Rulers allow the Church such publick Worship.

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3. That caeteris paribus all Christians should prefer such public worship before private; And no private meetings should be kept up, which are opposite or prejudicial to such public meetings.

3. That caeteris paribus all Christians should prefer such publick worship before private; And no private meetings should be kept up, which are opposite or prejudicial to such publick meetings.

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4. And therefore if such meetings (or any that are unnecessary to the ends of the Ministry, the service of God and good of souls) be forbidden by Lawful Rulers, they must be forborne.

4. And therefore if such meetings (or any that are unnecessary to the ends of the Ministry, the service of God and good of souls) be forbidden by Lawful Rulers, they must be forborn.

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II. But we are also agreed, 1. That it is not the Place but the presence of the true Pastors and ¹people that make the Church.

11 Cor. 16. 19. Rom. 16. 5. Act. 12. 12. Col. 4. 15.

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2. That God may be acceptably Worshipped in all places when it is our duty.

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3. That the ancient Churches and Christians in times of persecutions ordinarily met in secret against the Rulers wills, and their meetings were called Conventicles, (and slandered, which occasioned Pliny's examination, and the right he did them.)

Puritans

England

Pastor at Kidderminster and prolific nonconformist author.

Transcription key

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⟨p. 12⟩: a page break in the printed book