A26892:6029
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.
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):
For, 1. The Power is by Christ given to them, as is before proved; and in Tit. 1. 5.
2. None else are ordinarily able to discern aright the Abilities of a man for the sacred Ministry. The people may discern a profitable moving Preacher, but whether he understand the Scripture, or the substance of Religion, or be •ound in the faith and not Heretical, and delude them not with a form of well uttered words, they are not ordinarily able to judge.
3. None else are fit to attend this work, but Pastors who are separated to the sacred office. It requireth1 more time to get fitness for it, and then to perform it faithfully, than either Magistrates or people can ordinarily bestow.