A26892:8445
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.
§. 36. Object. But, it will be said, that Catholic Communion indeed requireth no more than you say:1 But particular Churches may require more of their members: For that may be necessary or fit for a member of this particular Church, which is not to at all.
§. 36. Object. But, it will be said, that Catholick Communion indeed requireth no more than you say:1 But particular Churches may require more of their members: For that may be necessary or fit for a member of this particular Church, which is not to at all.
- 1Object.
Answ. Catholic Communion is that which all Christians and Churches have with one another, and the terms of it are such as all Christians may agree in: Catholic Communion is principally existent and exercised in particular Churches, (as there is no existent Christianity or faith, which existeth not in individual Christians:) Therefore if one particular Church may so narrow the door of its Communion, then another and another, and every one may do so: if not by the same particular impositions, yet by some other of the like nature: For what power one Church hath herein, others have: And then Catholic Communion will be scarce found existent externally in the world: but a mere Catholic Christian would be denied Communion in every particular Church he cometh to. And how do you hold Catholic Communion when you will admit no mere Catholic Christian as such to your Communion, but only such as supererogate according to your private Church-terms.
Answ. Catholick Communion is that which all Christians and Churches have with one another, and the terms of it are such as all Christians may agree in: Catholick Communion is principally existent and exercised in particular Churches, (as there is no existent Christianity or faith, which existeth not in individual Christians:) Therefore if one particular Church may so narrow the door of its Communion, then another and another, and every one may do so: if not by the same particular impositions, yet by some other of the like nature: For what power one Church hath herein, others have: And then Catholick Communion will be scarce found existent externally in the world: but a meer Catholick Christian would be denyed Communion in every particular Church he cometh to. And how do you hold Catholick Communion when you will admit no meer Catholick Christian as such to your Communion, but only such as supererogate according to your private Church-terms.