A26892:7708
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.
4. And next such as were justly consecrated by man; as is aforesaid in the degrees of Holiness.
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.
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.
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
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.