PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
A Christian Directory, Part 4: Christian Politics
Baxter, Richard, 1615-1691 · 274,957 words · 366 reading sections
Part 301
87. Each party of these adversaries will characterize the adverse party as hypocrites: the passionate sufferers will call the afflicters hypocrites and Pharisees, that have no religion, but a formal show of outside ceremonies and words, and that tithe mint and cummin, and wash the outside, while within they are full of…
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The judicious, and experienced, and most patient and self-denying sort, will themselves abstain from all that is sin; and as far as it is in their choice and power, will join with the churches that worship God most agreeably to his word and will; but so, as that they will not be loud in their complaints, nor busy to dr…
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94. And they will carry about among themselves many false reports and slanders against them; partly because passion taketh off charity and tenderness of conscience; and partly because an opinionative model, and siding religiousness, hath ever more followers, and a quicker zeal, than true holiness; and partly because th…
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But the most judicious and resolved ministers, that live not on the favour or maintenance of the people, or are quite above all worldly interest, will behave themselves wisely, moderately, and yet resolvedly; and will do nothing that shall distaste sober and wise men, nor yet despise the souls of the most impotent or i…
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100. And as for the moderate nonconformists, that understand what they do, and why, and seek the reconciling of all dissenters; they will also be loved and honoured by the sober, grave, and experienced christians: but both extremes will be against them. The sectaries will say, as before, that they are lukewarm, and car…
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112. Hereupon the misguided, passionate youth, being by the proud clergy deprived of the presence of that ministry that should moderate them, are likely enough to think rebellion and resisting of authority, a lawful means for their own preservation; and will plead the law of nature and necessity for their justification…
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120. A WORLDLY, covetous, proud, domineering, malignant, lazy clergy, will, in most christian nations, be the great plague of the world, and troublers of princes, and dividers of churches; who, for the interest of their grandeur, and their wills, will not give the sober, and peaceable, and godly ministers, or people, l…
883 wordsSECTION 308AND TIME OF TRUE REFORMATION AND UNITY.
1. Because it is made part of our prayers, "Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven;" and, "we look for a new heaven, and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." I hope their opinion is not true, who think that the earth shall still grow more and more like to hell, till the general conflagration turn it int…
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And that he who is understandingly a sacramental covenanter with God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, was ever taken for a visible christian. And therefore baptism was called our christening; and the baptized taken for christians, before they knew the controversies of _this_ church, or _that_: and that the competent, e…
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11. When all those superfluities, and foot-balls of contention, are cast out of the way, the power of the keys, or pastoral government, shall come to be better known and exercised, and the primitive discipline set up; which took place before Cyril of Alexandria took up the sword, and pride swelled the bishops into a se…
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13. Where the churches are so great as to need, (as most will do,) and so happy as to obtain, many faithful presbyters or pastors, whether they shall live together in a single college life, or married, and at a distance; and whether one as the chief, or bishop, shall be president, and have a negative voice, or all be e…
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16. The magistrate will not imprison, harm, confiscate, banish, or otherwise punish any of his subjects, _eo nomine_, because they are excommunicate; for that is to punish his body because his soul is punished. Nor will he hearken to those unbelieving clergymen, that cry up the power of the keys as their office; and wh…
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20. The maintenance of the ministry shall neither be so poor, as to discourage men from devoting their children to the office, or disable them from a total addictedness to their proper work, by any distracting wants or cares; nor yet wholly disable them from works of charity: nor yet so great, as may be a strong bait t…
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27. The magistrate shall appoint some of the most grave, and wise, and godly, and moderate of the ministers, to have a general inspection over many churches; and to see that they be well taught and ordered, and that pastors and people do their duty: who shall therefore oft visit them, and shall instruct and exhort the …
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32. The magistrate shall silence all preachers that, after due admonition, so grossly misbehave themselves in doctrine, worship, or conversation, as to be the plagues of the churches, and to do apparently more hurt than good. But as to all worthy and able ministers, if they commit any fault, they shall be punished as o…
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37. Then shall neighbours exercise their charity, for the help of the ignorant about them, without the suspicions of venting heresies, or sedition, or encroaching on the pastor's office. And neighbours, when they come together, shall not take praying together, or holy conference, or singing God's praise, or reading goo…
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45. The protestant kingdoms and states, being thus reformed and united in themselves, will be inflamed with an earnest desire of the good of all other churches, and of all the world: and therefore, as divines have held something called general councils for the union of all those churches; so these princes will by their…
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_Answ._ No amiableness or pleasantness stealeth the heart from God, or keepeth it from heaven, but that which hideth the glory and goodness of God and heaven from our minds, or corrupteth and diverteth the will and affections by some inconsistency or contrariety; but the spiritual excellency of the reformed concordant …
154 wordsSECTION 319CONSECTARY.
All the Romish dreams of church union arise from ignorance of the true state and interest of the church, and the true and necessary terms of union. And all the plots also of the moderating papists, that talk of a political church catholic having a visible constitutive or governing head; whether monarchical, (the pope,…
429 wordsSECTION 320THE ORDINARY PUBLIC WORSHIP ON THE LORD'S DAY.
_The Congregation being reverently composed, let the Minister first crave God's assistance and acceptance of the Worship, to be performed in these or the like words._ Eternal, incomprehensible, and invisible God, infinite in power, wisdom, and goodness, dwelling in the light which no man can approach, where thousand t…
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Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.[188] Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why wi…
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O Most holy, righteous, and gracious God, who hatest all the workers of iniquity, and hast appointed death to be the wages of sin, but yet for the glory of thy mercy hast sent thy Son to be the Saviour of the world, and hast promised forgiveness of sin through his blood, to all that believe in him, and by true repentan…
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_Or thus, when brevity is necessary._ O Most great, most just, and gracious God, thou art of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, thou condemnest the ungodly, impenitent, and unbelievers; but hast promised mercy through Jesus Christ to all that repent and believe in him. We confess that we were conceived in sin, and ar…
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I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and iniquities I will remember no more.[202] Hear also what you must be and do for the time to come, if you would be saved. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.[203] If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are p…
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Next after the psalm the minister shall (in the pulpit) first reverently, prudently, and fervently pray, according to the state and necessities of the church, and those especially that are present, and according to the subject that he is to preach on. And after prayer, he shall preach upon some text of holy Scripture, …
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Almighty God, by whom kings reign, and princes decree justice, who rulest in all the kingdoms of men, and givest them to whomsoever thou wilt, who by thy special providence hast set over us thy servant, Charles, our king; crown him with thy blessings, and satisfy him with thy goodness. Save him by thy right hand, and d…
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Let us not corrupt or neglect thy worship; nor take thy holy name in vain. Keep us from blasphemy, perjury, profane swearing, lying, contempt of thy ordinances, and from false, unworthy, and unreverent thoughts and speeches of God, or holy things; and from the neglect and profanation of thy holy day.[233] Put it into …
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_We desire that instead of the imperfect version of the Psalms in metre now in use, Mr. William Barton's Version, and that perused and approved by the Church of Scotland there in use, (being the best that we have seen,) may be received and corrected by some skilful men, and both allowed (for grateful variety) to be pri…
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Most glorious God, accept, through thy beloved Son, though from the hands of sinners, of thanksgiving, which thy unspeakable love and mercies, as well as thy command, do bind us to offer up unto thee. Thou art the Father of mercies, and the God of all consolation, full of compassion, gracious, long-suffering, plenteous…
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_The Hymn._ The First Part. Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities, and healeth all thy diseases; who redeemed thy life from destruction, and crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender…
882 wordsSECTION 331THE ORDER OF CELEBRATING THE SACRAMENT OF THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST.
_This, or the like Explication of the Nature, Use, and Benefits of this Sacrament, may be used at the Discretion of the Minister, when he seeth it needful to the Instruction of the Communicants._ That you may discern the Lord's body, and understand the nature, use, and benefits of this sacrament; you must know that Go…
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The holy qualifications to be before provided, and in receiving exercised, and after receiving, are these. 1. A true belief of the articles of the christian faith concerning Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; the person, offices, works, sufferings, and benefits of Christ. 2. The sense of our sinful and undone condition, as i…
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You are invited hither, dear brethren, to be guests at this holy table, by the Lord's command, to receive the greatest mercy, and to perform the greatest duty. On Christ's part, all things are made ready. The feast is prepared for you, even for you that by sin have deserved to be cast out of the presence of the Lord; f…
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Most holy God, we are as stubble before thee, the consuming fire. How shall we stand before thy holiness, for we are a sinful people, laden with iniquity, that have gone backward and provoked the Holy One of Israel. When we were lost, thy Son did seek and save us; when we were dead in sin, thou madest us alive. Thou sa…
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Hear what the apostle Paul saith: "For I have received of the Lord, that which also I deliver unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat, this is my body which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After t…
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Almighty God, thou art the Creator and the Lord of all. Thou art the Sovereign Majesty whom we have offended. Thou art our merciful Father, who hast given us thy Son to reconcile us to thyself; who hath ratified the new testament and covenant of grace with his most precious blood, and hath instituted this holy sacramen…
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Dear brethren, we have been here feasted with the Son of God at his table, upon his flesh and blood, in preparation for the feast of endless glory. You have seen here represented, what sin deserveth, what Christ suffered, what wonderful love the God of infinite goodness hath expressed to us. You have had communion with…
404 wordsSECTION 338THE CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM.
Let no minister, that is therein unsatisfied, be forced against his judgment, to baptize the child of open atheists, idolaters, or infidels, or that are unbaptized themselves, or of such as do not competently understand the essentials of christianity, (what it is to be a christian,) and the essentials of baptism; nor o…
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This covenant is to be solemnly entered into by baptism, which is a holy sacrament instituted by Christ, in which a person professing the christian faith (or the infant of such) is baptized in water into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, in signification and solemnization of the holy covenant; in which, as a…
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_Quest._ Will you to this end faithfully endeavour to cause him to learn the articles of the christian faith, the Lord's prayer, and the ten commandments, and to read or hear the holy Scriptures, and to attend on the public preaching of God's word? Will you endeavour, by your own teaching, and example, and restraint, t…
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You that have devoted this child to God, and engaged it in covenant to him, must be thankful for so great a mercy to the child, and must be faithful in performing what you have promised on your parts, in instructing and educating this child in the faith and fear of God, that he may own and perform the covenant now made…
695 wordsSECTION 342OF CATECHISING, AND THE APPROBATION OF THOSE THAT ARE TO BE ADMITTED TO THE LORD'S SUPPER.
Seeing none can be saved at years of discretion, that do not actually believe, and personally give up themselves in covenant to God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; therefore as parents must do their parts, so ministers must catechise the ignorant, and diligently labour to cause them both to learn the form of wholesome…
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And if confirmation be continued, let his Majesty's Declaration be observed, requiring, That confirmation be rightly and solemnly performed, by the information, and with the consent, of the minister of the place. Let no minister be enforced to admit any himself to the Lord's supper, who hath been clancularly and irreg…
89 wordsSECTION 344OF THE CELEBRATION OF MATRIMONY.
Before the solemnizing of marriage between any persons, their purpose of marriage shall be published by the minister, three several Lord's days in the congregation, at the place or places of their most usual abode respectively. And of this publication, the minister who is to join them in marriage shall have sufficient …
784 wordsSECTION 345THE VISITATION OF THE SICK, AND THEIR COMMUNION.
The visitation of the sick being a private duty, and no part of the public Liturgy of the church, and the case of the sick being so exceeding various, as to soul and body; and it being requisite that ministers be able to suit their exhortations and prayers to the condition of the sick, but the words of such exhortation…
297 wordsSECTION 346THE ORDER OF SOLEMNIZING THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD.
It is agreeable to nature and religion, that the burial of christians be solemnly and decently performed. As to the cases, Whether the corpse shall be carried first into the church, that is to be buried in the church-yard; and whether it shall be buried before the sermon, reading, or prayer, or after, or in the midst o…
367 wordsSECTION 347OF EXTRAORDINARY DAYS OF HUMILIATION AND THANKSGIVING, AND ANNIVERSARY FESTIVALS.
When great afflictions lie upon the church, or any special part or members of it, or when any great sins have been committed among them, it is meet that in public, by fasting and prayer, we humble ourselves before the Lord, for the averting of his displeasure; and on such occasions it is the pastor's duty to confess hi…
372 wordsSECTION 348OF PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING FOR PARTICULAR MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH.
Besides the petitions that are put up for all in such distresses, in the general prayer, it is meet that persons in dangerous sickness, or other great affliction of body or mind, and women that are near the time of child-bearing, when they desire it, shall be particularly recommended to God in the public prayers of the…
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Most merciful Father, though our sin doth find us out, and we are justly afflicted for our transgressions, yet are we not consumed in thy wrath; but thou punishest us less than our iniquities do deserve: though thou causest grief, yet wilt thou have compassion according to the multitude of thy mercies, for thou dost no…
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We thank thee, O most gracious God, that thou hast heard us when we cried unto thee, for thy servant in his weakness and distress; that thou hast not turned away our prayer nor thy mercy from him. We cried to thee, and thou hast delivered and healed him, thou hast brought him from the grave, thou hast kept him alive, t…
828 wordsSECTION 351OF PASTORAL DISCIPLINE, PUBLIC CONFESSION, ABSOLUTION, AND EXCLUSION FROM THE HOLY COMMUNION OF THE CHURCH.
The recital of the curses are said in the book of Common Prayer, to be instead of the godly discipline of the primitive church, till it can be restored again, which is much to be wished, which is the putting of notorious sinners to open penitence. His Majesty's Declaration concerning ecclesiastical affairs, determineth…
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But before this is done, let no necessary consultation with other pastors, or concurrence of the church, be neglected: and after let there be place for due appeals, and let ministers consent to give account when they are accused of mal-administration. But if, after private admonition, (while the offence is such as req…
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Be it known unto you therefore, that it is the God of heaven and earth, the great, the jealous, and the terrible God, whose laws you have broken, and whose authority you despise. You refuse his government, who is coming with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly…
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_A Form of Confession, to be made before the Congregation._ [Sidenote: * Here the sin must be named and aggravated, when by the pastor it is judged requisite.] I do confess before God and this congregation, that I have greatly sinned. * I have offended and dishonoured God, wronged the church, and the souls of others.…
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Most gracious God, according to thy command we have warned this sinner, and told him of thy threatenings, and foretold him of thy certain terrible judgments, that he might flee from the wrath to come; but alas, we perceive not that he repenteth or relenteth, but hardeneth his heart against reproof; as if he were able t…
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Though you have greatly sinned against the Lord, and against his church, and your own soul, yet seeing you humble yourself before him, and penitently fly to Christ for mercy, resolving to do so no more; hear now the glad tidings of salvation, which I am commanded to declare unto you. If any man sin, we have an advocate…
737 wordsSECTION 357A LARGER LITANY, OR GENERAL PRAYER, TO BE USED AT DISCRETION.
O most holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, three Persons and one God, infinite in power, wisdom, and goodness, our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier; our Owner, Governor, and Father; hear our prayers, and have mercy upon us, miserable sinners. O Lord our Saviour, whose incarnation, nativit…
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Let us study to please thee in all things. Let thy law be written in our hearts; and let us delight to do thy will. Let our faith and lives be ruled by thy word, which is able to make us wise unto salvation; let us love it, search it, and understand it, and meditate in it day and night.[293] Let us not please ourselve…
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Keep us from adultery, fornication, and all uncleanness, and the occasions and appearances thereof. Let us take care as becometh saints, that they be not immodestly named among us, and that no corrupt communication proceed out of our mouths. Keep us from chambering and wantonness, from lustful thoughts, and all immodes…
818 wordsSECTION 360THE CHURCH'S PRAISE FOR OUR REDEMPTION, TO BE USED AT DISCRETION.
Our souls do magnify thee, O Lord; our spirits rejoice in God our Saviour, who remembered us in our low and lost estates, for his mercy endureth for ever. By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin. We kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law; for all have sinned and come short of the g…
746 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.