A26892:5844
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.
5. By these Actions they are not the proper Donors or efficients of the Power, or office given, but the Consent of the people and the Ordination do determine of the Recipient, and so are Regularly causa fine qua non of his Reception. And the Ordination is moreover a solemn Investiture, in the office, as when a servant is sent by delivering a Key to deliver possession of an House, by his Masters consent, to him that had before the owners Grant; And so it ceremoniously entereth him into visible possession; Like the solemnizing of Marriage, or the listing of a Soldier, &c.
5. By these Actions they are not the proper Donors or efficients of the Power, or office given, but the Consent of the people and the Ordination do determine of the Recipient, and so are Regularly causa fine qua non of his Reception. And the Ordination is moreover a solemn Investiture, in the office, as when a servant is sent by delivering a Key to deliver possession of an House, by his Masters consent, to him that had before the owners Grant; And so it ceremoniously entereth him into visible possession; Like the solemnizing of Marriage, or the listing of a Souldier, &c.
6. The peoples Consent (before or after) is not only by Institution, but naturally necessary, that a man become a Pastor to those persons (for no man can Learn, obey, &c. without consent): But it is not of necessity to the Being of the Ministry in General, or in the first instant: A man without it may be authorized as a Minister to go Preach the Gospel for Conversion, and Baptize and gather Churches, though not to be their stated Pastor.
7. When death, distance, corruption, heresy or malignity of Pastors within reach, maketh it impossible to have Ordination, Gods choice of the person may be notified without it; as by, 1. Eminent Qualifications, 2. The peoples real necessities, 3. And the removal of Impedimens, and a concurrence of inviting opportunities and advantages; 4. And sometimes the peoples desire. 5. And sometimes the Magistrates commission or consent; which though not absolutely necessary in themselves; yet may serve to design the person and invest him, when the ordinary way faileth; which is all that is left to Man to do, to the conveyance of the power.