A26892:8442
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.
§. 34. Direct. 14. The Catholic Church, and Particular Churches, and our Communion with each, 1must be distinguished; and a man must not be cast out of our Catholic Communion, because by some tolerable difference he is uncapable of Communion with some particular Church. If a man be impenitent in any Heresy or sin, which is contrary to the common nature of Christianity or Godliness, and so unfit for Catholic Communion, he is to be cast out of Christian Communion: But if some particular Church do impose any unnecessary doctrine or practice, and he dare not approve it, or join in it (be it right or wrong); yea, or if he withdraw himself from one Church, through the badness of the Minister, or through any falling out between them, and join to another that hath a Minister more suitable to his case; these are not crimes to be punished with ejection from Catholic Communion. He that is not fit for Communion with some one particular Church, may be fit for Communion with many others, that give him no such occasion of difference or distaste. Without Catholic principles, persecution will not be avoided.
§. 34. Direct. 14. The Catholick Church, and Particular Churches, and our Communion with each, 1must be distinguished; and a man must not be cast out of our Catholick Communion, because by some tolerable difference he is uncapabable of Communion with some particular Church. If a man be impenitent in any Heresie or sin, which is contrary to the common nature of Christianity or Godliness, and so unfit for Catholick Communion, he is to be cast out of Christian Communion: But if some particular Church do impose any unnecessary doctrine or practice, and he dare not approve it, or joyn in it (be it right or wrong); yea, or if he withdraw himself from one Church, through the badness of the Minister, or through any falling out between them, and joyn to another that hath a Minister more suitable to his case; these are not crimes to be punished with ejection from Catholick Communion. He that is not fit for Communion with some one particular Church, may be fit for Communion with many others, that give him no such occasion of difference or distaste. Without Catholick principles, persecution will not be avoided.
- 1Direct. 14.