A26892:6019
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.
2. If the peoples Call or Consent be necessary, it is either the Infidels or the Churches. Not the Infidels to whom he is to preach: for 1. He is Authorized to preach to them (as the Apostles were) before he goeth to them. 2. Their Consent is but a Natural-consequent-requisite for the Reception and success of their Teaching, but not to the Authority which is pre-requisite. 3. Infidels cannot do so much towards the making of a Minister of Christ. 4. Else Christ would have few such Ministers. 5. If it be Infidels, either all or some? If some, why those rather than others? Or is a man made a Minister by every Infidel auditory that heareth him?
2. Nor is it Christian people that must do this much to the making of a General Minister; For, 1. They have no such Power given for it, in Nature or the Word of God. 2. They are generally unqualified and unable for such a work: 3. They are no where obliged to it, nor can fitly leave their Callings for it; Much less to get the abilities necessary to judge: 4. Which of the people have this power? Is it any of them, or any Church of private men? Or some one more than the rest? Neither one nor all can lay any claim to it. There is some reason why this Congregation rather than ⟨p. 794⟩another should choose their own Pastors: But there is no Reason (nor Scripture) that this Congregation choose a Minister to convert the World.
III. I conclude therefore that the Call of a Minister in General doth consist, 1. Dispositively in the due Qualifications and •nablement of the person: 2. And the Necessity of the people, with opportunity, is a providential part of the Call. 3. And the ordainers are the Orderly Electors and determiners of the person that shall receive the power from Christ.