A26892:8050
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 4 › Chapter 3: Directions for Subjects concerning their duty to their Rulers.
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.
Answ. There is no reason of scruple to him that1 understandeth, 1. That the title [Causes Ecclesiastical] is taken from the ancient usurpation of the Pope and his Prelates, who brought much of the Magistrates work into their Courts, under the name of [Causes Ecclesiastical.] 2. That our Canons and many Declarations of our Princes, have expounded it fully, by disclaiming all proper Pastoral power. 3. That by [Governor] is meant only one that Governeth coercively, or by the sword: so that it is no more than to swear, that In all causes 2Ecclesiastical, so far as coercive Government is required, it belongeth not to Pope or Prelates under him, but to the King and his Officers or Courts alone: Or that the King is chief in Governing by the Sword in causes Ecclesiastical as well as Civil. So that if you put [spiritual] instead of Ecclesiastical, the word is taken materially and not formally: not that the King is chief in the spiritual Government by the Keys of Excommunication and Absolution, but that he is chief in the coercive Government about spiritual matters, as before explained.
Answ. There is no reason of scruple to him that1 understandeth, 1. That the title [Causes Ecclesiastical] is taken from the ancient usurpation of the Pope and his Prelates, who brought much of the Magistrates work into their Courts, under the name of [Causes Ecclesiastical.] 2. That our Canons and many Declarations of our Princes, have expounded it fully, by disclaiming all proper Pastoral power. 3. That by [Governour] is meant only one that Governeth coercively, or by the sword: so that it is no more than to swear, that In all causes 2Ecclesiastical, so far as coercive Government is required, it belongeth not to Pope or Prelates under him, but to the King and his Officers or Courts alone: Or that the King is chief in Governing by the Sword in causes Ecclesiastical as well as Civil. So that if you put [spiritual] instead of Ecclesiastical, the word is taken materially and not formally: not that the King is chief in the spiritual Government by the Keyes of Excommunication and Absolution, but that he is chief in the coercive Government about spiritual matters, as before explained.