A26892:5893
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.
I. In the former sense 1. He is no true Minister that wanteth the essential qualifications of a Minister, viz. that hath not, 1. The understanding and belief of all the essential Articles of faith, ⟨p. 780⟩without Heresy. 2. Tolerable Ability to teach these to the people, and perform the other essentials of his office. 3. Sincere Godliness, to do all this in Love and obedience to God as his Servant, in order to life eternal. 2. And he is thus no true Pastor as to Gods acceptance of himself, who hath not a lawful Calling; that is, 1. Ordination, when it may be had; 2. The Consent or Reception of that Church of which he pretendeth to be Pastor, which is still necessary, and must be had, if Ordination cannot.