A26892:5857
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.
The same man therefore may receive an Office from Christ, who yet ignorantly submitteth to the Pope, and receiveth corrupt additions from him.
But suppose I be mistaken in all this, yet to come to the second Question,
II. Whether Baptism and Ordination given by them be Nullities, I answer, no; on a further account, 1. Because that the Ministry which is a nullity to the receiver (that is, God will punish him1 as an Usurper,) may yet perform those Ministerial Acts which are no Nullities to the Church. Else2 how confused a case would all Churches be in? For it is hard ever to know whether Ministers have all things essential to their Office? Suppose a man be ignorant or an Heretic against some essential3 Article of faith; or suppose that he feigned Orders of Ordination when he had none; or that he was ordained by such as really had no power to do it; or suppose he pretended the consent of the majority of the people, when really the greater part were for another; If all th•s be unknown, his Baptizing and other administrations are not thereby made Nullities to the Church, though they be sins in him: The Reason is, because that the Church shall not suffer, nor lose her right for another mans sin! When the fault is not theirs, the loss and punishment shall not be theirs. He that is found in possession of the place, performeth valid administration to them that know not his usurpation, and are not guilty of it. Otherwise we should never have done Re-baptizing, nor know easily when we receive any valid administrations, while we are so disagreed about the Necessaries of the Office and Call; and when it is so hard in all things to judge of the Call of all other men.