A Christian Directory

Name: A Christian Directory
Author: Richard Baxter

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.

Richard Baxter 1615–1691London: printed by Robert White for Nevill Simmons, 1673

[35], 929, [5], 214 p., [1] leaf of plates : port. · 1.2M words · Wing B1219 · ESTC R21847

Title page typeset from the transcription.

Part 3 › Question 18: Quest. 18. Whether the Peoples Choice or Consent is necessary to the Office of a Minist…

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.

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:6017p. 793–794

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.

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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.

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 determine•s of the person that shall receive the power from Christ.

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1. For this is part of the power of the Keys or Church-Government; 2. And Paul giveth this direction for exercising of this power to Timothy, which showeth the ordinary way of Calling,

[ Earlier passages Later passages ]

A Christian Directory

Quest. 19. Wherein consisteth the Power and Nature of Ordination? And to whom doth it belong? And is it an Act of Jurisdiction? And is Imposition of hands necessary in it?

Quest. 19. Wherein consisteth the Power and Nature of Ordination? And to whom doth it belong? And is it an Act of Iurisdiction? And is Imposition of hands necessary in it?

Transcription key

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

Quest. 19. Wherein consisteth the Power and Nature of Ordination? And to whom doth it belong? And is it an Act of Jurisdiction? And is Imposition of hands necessary in it?

Quest. 19. Wherein consisteth the Power and Nature of Ordination? And to whom doth it belong? And is it an Act of Iurisdiction? And is Imposition of hands necessary in it?

Transcription key