A26892:8475
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.
Gods word containeth in sufficient expressions, all that is necessary to be subscribed to: Require none therefore to subscribe to any more; (in matters of faith or holy practice): But if you think any Articles need a special interpretation, let the Church give her sense of those Articles; and if any man Preach against that sense, and corrupt the Word of God which he hath subscribed, let his fault be proved, and let him be admonished and censured as it deserves: Censured I say, not for not subscribing more than Scripture, but for corrupting the Scriptures to which he hath subscribed, or breaking Gods Laws which he promised to observe.
§. 59. Direct. 37. The Good of men, and not their ruin must be intended in all the Discipline 1of the Church: Or the good of the Church, when we have but little hope of theirs. If this were done, it would easily be perceived, that persecution is an unlikely means to do good by.
§. 59. Direct. 37. The Good of men, and not their ruine must be intended in all the Discipline 1of the Church: Or the good of the Church, when we have but little hope of theirs. If this were done, it would easily be perceived, that persecution is an unlikely means to do good by.
- 1Direct. 37.
§. 60. Direct. 38. Neither unlimited Liberty in matters of Religion must be allowed, nor unnecessary 1force and rigour used, but Tolerable differences and parties must be tolerated, and intolerable ones by the wisest means supperest: And to this end, by the Counsel of the most prudent peaceable Divines, the Tolerable and the Intolerable must be statedly distinguished! And those that are only Tolerated must be under a Law for their Toleration, prescribing them their terms of good behaviour; and those that are Approved, must moreover have the Countenance and Maintenance of the Magistrate: And if this were done, 1. The advantage of the said Encouragement from Governors: 2. With the regulation of the the toleration, and the Magistrates careful Government of the Tolerated, would prevent both persecution, and most of the divisions and calamities of the Church. Thus did the ancient Christian Emperors and Bishops: (And was their experience nothing?) The Novatians (as good and Orthodox men) were allowed their own Churches and Bishops even in Constantinople, at the Emperors nose. Especially if it be made the work of some Justices, 1. To judge of persons to be tolerated, and grant them Patents, 2. And to over-rule them and punish them when they deserve it; No other way would avoid so many inconveniences.