A26892:8844
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.
§. 30. Quest. 23. May one sell a Church-benefice, or Rectory or Orders?
Answ. If the Benefice be originally of your own gift, it is at first in your power to give part or all; to take some deductions out of it or not: But if it be already given to the Church, and you have1 but the Patronage or Choice of the Incumbent, it is sacrilege to sell it for any commodity of your own: But whether you may take somewhat out of a greater Benefice, to give to another Church which is poorer, dependeth partly on the Law of the Land, and partly upon the probable consequents. If the Law absolutely forbid it (supposing that unlawful contracts cannot be avoided unless some lawful ones be restrained,) it must be obeyed, for the common good: And if the consequent of a lawful contract, be like to be the more hurtful encouragement of unlawful ones, such examples must be forborne, though the Law were not against them. But to sell Orders is undoubted Simony: (That is, the Office of the Ministry, or the act of Ordination:) though Scribes may be paid for writing instruments.
Answ. If the Benefice be originally of your own gift, it is at first in your power to give part or all; to take some deductions out of it or not: But if it be already given to the Church, and you have1 but the Patronage or Choice of the Incumbent, it is sacriledge to sell it for any commodity of your own: But whether you may take somewhat out of a greater Benefice, to give to another Church which is poorer, dependeth partly on the Law of the Land, and partly upon the probable consequents. If the Law absolutely forbid it (supposing that unlawful contracts cannot be avoided unless some lawful ones be restrained,) it must be obeyed, for the common good: And if the consequent of a lawful contract, be like to be the more hurtful encouragement of unlawful ones, such examples must be forborn, though the Law were not against them. But to sell Orders is undoubted Simony: (That is, the Office of the Ministry, or the act of Ordination:) though Scribes may be paid for writing instruments.