A26892:5892
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.
Quest. 7. Whether the true Calling of the Minister by Ordination or Election, &c. be necessary to the Essence of the Church?
BY a Church here we mean a Political Society of Christians, and not any Assembly or Community. And no doubt but Pastor and Flock are the constitutive parts of such a Church; And where either of them are notoriously wanting, it is notorious that there is no true Church. Therefore all the doubt is, whether such parts of his Call be necessary to the being of the Ministry, or not? And here we must conclude, that the word [Ministry] and [Church] are ambiguous: By a Mister or Pastor is meant either one that God so far owneth as to accept and justify his administrations as for himself, even his own good and salvation; or one whose administrations God will own, accept and bless to the people.
BY a Church here we mean a Political Society of Christians, and not any Assembly or Community. And no doubt but Pastor and Flock are the constitutive parts of such a Church; And where either of them are notoriously wanting, it is notorious that there is no true Church. Therefore all the doubt is, whether such parts of his Call be necessary to the being of the Ministry, or not? And here we must conclude, that the word [Ministry] and [Church] are ambiguous: By a Mister or Pastor is meant either one that God so far owneth as to accept and justifie his administrations as for himself, even his own good and salvation; or one whose administrations God will own, accept and bless to the people.