A26892:6028
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.
3. This Ordination is Ordinis gratiâ, necessary to order: and therefore so far necessary as Order is necessary: which is Ordinarily, when the greater interest of the substantial duty, or of the Thing Ordered is not against it. As Christ determined the case of Sabbath keeping, and not eating the Shewbread. As the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath, and the end is to be preferred before the separable means: so ordination was instituted for order, and order for the thing ordered and for the work of the Gospel, and the good of souls, and not the Gospel and mens souls for that Order: Therefore when, 1. The death, 2. Distance, 3. Or malignity of the Ordainers depriveth a man of Ordination, these three substitutes may notify to him the Will of God, that he is by him a person called to that office: 1. Fitness for the works, in Understanding, Willingness and Ability; 2. The Necessity of souls, 3. Opportunity.
3. This Ordination is Ordinis gratiâ, necessary to order: and therefore so far necessary as Order is necessary: which is Ordinarily, when the greater interest of the substantial duty, or of the Thing Ordered is not against it. As Christ determined the case of Sabbath keeping, and not eating the Shewbread. As the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath, and the end is to be preferred before the separable means: so ordination was instituted for order, and order for the thing ordered and for the work of the Gospel, and the good of souls, and not the Gospel and mens souls for that Order: Therefore when, 1. The death, 2. Distance, 3. Or malignity of the Ordainers depriveth a man of Ordination, these three substitutes may notifie to him the Will of God, that he is by him a person called to that office: 1. Fitness for the works, in Understanding, Willingness and Ability; 2. The Necessity of souls, 3. Opportunity.
II. The power of ordaining belongeth not, 1. To Magistrates, 2. Or to private men, either single or as the body of a Church; but 3. To the Senior Pastors of the Church (whether Bishops or Presbyters of a distinct order, the Reader must not expect that I here determine):