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,I. CHRISTIAN ETHICS (or private Duties.)II. CHRISTIAN OECONOMICKS (or Family Duties.)III. CHRISTIAN ECCLESIASTICS (or Church Duties.)IV. CHRISTIAN POLITICS (or Duties to our Rulers and Neighbours.)By RICHARD BAXTER.Mal. 2. 7▪ 8.The Priests lips should keep Knowledge, and they should seek the Law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts. But ye are departed out of the way: Ye have Caused many to stumble at the Law; ye have corrupted the Covenant of Levi—Matth. 13. 52.Every SCRIBE which is instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven, is like unto a man that is an Householder, which bringeth forth out of his Treasure things New and Old.Heb. 5. 13, 14.For every one that useth Milk is unskilful in the Word of Righteousness: for he is a Babe: But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age: Those who by reason of USE, have their senses exercised to discern both Good and Evil.2 Tim. 2. 14, 15, 16.Of these things put them in remembrance; charging them before God, that they STRIVE not about WORDS, to no profit, but to the subverting of the Hearers: Study to show thy self approved UNTO GOD, a Workman that needeth not to be ashamed, RIGHTLY DIVIDING the word of Truth. But shun profane and vain Babblings; for they will increase unto more Ungodliness, and their Word will eat as doth a Canker.2 Pet. 3. 16.In which (Pauls Epistles) are some things hard to be understood: which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures to their own destruction.LONDON, Printed, by Robert White, for Nevill Simmons, at the Sign of the Princes Arms in St. Pauls Church-yard. 1673.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,I. CHRISTIAN ETHICKS (or private Duties.)II. CHRISTIAN OECONOMICKS (or Family Duties.)III. CHRISTIAN ECCLESIASTICKS (or Church Duties.)IV. CHRISTIAN POLITICKS (or Duties to our Rulers and Neighbours.)By RICHARD BAXTER.Mal. 2. 7▪ 8.The Priests lips should keep Knowledge, and they should seek the Law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts. But ye are departed out of the way: Ye have Caused many to stumble at the Law; ye have corrupted the Covenant of Levi—Matth. 13. 52.Every SCRIBE which is instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven, is like unto a man that is an Housholder, which bringeth forth out of his Treasure things New and Old.Heb. 5. 13, 14.For every one that useth Milk is unskilful in the Word of Righteousness: for he is a Babe: But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age: Those who by reason of USE, have their senses exercised to discern both Good and Evil.2 Tim. 2. 14, 15, 16.Of these things put them in remembrance; charging them before God, that they STRIVE not aboutTitle page of A Christian Directory, London, 1673A Christian DirectoryRichard Baxter, 1673

Quest. 91. What if the Pastor excommunicate a man, and the people will not forbear his Communion, as thinking him unjustly Excommunicated?

pp. 8603 passages

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.

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Quest. 91. What if the Pastor excommunicate a man, and the people will not forbear his Communion, as thinking him unjustly Excommunicated?

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Answ. 1. Either the Pastor or the people are in the Error. 2. Either the person is a dangerous Heretic or grossly wicked, or not. 3. Either the people do own the Error or sin, for which he is excommunicated, or only judge the person not guilty. 4. The Pastors, and the peoples part in the execution must be distinguished. And so I conclude,

Answ. 1. EIther the Pastor or the people are in the Errour. 2. Either the person is a dangerous Heretick or grosly wicked, or not. 3. Either the people do own the Errour or sin, for which he is excommunicated, or only judge the person not guilty. 4. The Pastors, and the peoples part in the execution must be distinguished. And so I conclude,

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1. That if the Pastor err and wrong the people he must repent, and give them satisfaction: But if it be their error and obstinacy, then 2. If the Pastor foreknow that the people will dissent, in some small dispensable cases he may forbear to excommunicate one that deserveth it: or if he know it after, that they will not forbear Communion with the person, he may go on in his office, and be satisfied that he hath discharged his own duty, and leave them under the guilt of their own faults. 3. But if it be an intolerable wickedness or Heresy (as Arianism, Socinianism, &c.) and the people own the error or sin as well as the person; the Pastor is then to admonish them also, and by all means to endeavour to bring them to Repentance; And if they remain impenitent to renounce Communion with them and desert them. 4. But if they own not the crime, but only think the person injured, the Pastor must give them the proof for their satisfaction; And if they remain unsatisfied, he may proceed in his office as before.

1. That if the Pastor err and wrong the people he must repent, and give them satisfaction: But if it be their errour and obstinacy, then 2. If the Pastor foreknow that the people will dissent, in some small dispensible cases he may forbear to excommunicate one that deserveth it: or if he know it after, that they will not forbear Communion with the person, he may go on in his office, and be satisfied that he hath discharged his own duty, and leave them under the guilt of their own faults. 3. But if it be an intolerable wickedness or Heresie (as Arrianism, Socinianism, &c.) and the people own the errour or sin as well as the person; the Pastor is then to admonish them also, and by all means to endeavour to bring them to Repentance; And if they remain impenitent to renounce Communion with them and desert them. 4. But if they own not the crime, but only think the person injured, the Pastor must give them the proof for their satisfaction; And if they remain unsatisfied, he may proceed in his office as before.

Quest. 91. What if the Pastor excommunicate a man, and the people will not forbear his Communion, as thinking him unjustly Excommunicated?

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

Quest. 91. What if the Pastor excommunicate a man, and the people will not forbear his Communion, as thinking him unjustly Excommunicated?