A26892:6045
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.
And, 1. As Baptism is as such our Entrance into the universal Church, and not into a particular; so is Ordination to a Minister an entrance only on the Ministry as such.
And, 1. As Baptism is as such our Enterance into the universal Church, and not into a particular; so is Ordination to a Minister an enterance only on the Ministry as such.
2. Yet a man may at once be made a Minister in general, and the Pastor of this or that Church in particular: And in Kingdoms wholly inchurched and Christian, it is usually fittest so to do; Lest many being ordained sine titulo, idleness and poverty of supernumeraries, should corrupt and dishonour the Ministry: Which was the cause of the old Canons in this case.
3. But when a man is thus called to both at once, it is not all done by Ordination as such; but his complicate Relation, proceedeth from a complication of Causes. As he is a Minister, it is by Ordination. And as he is The Pastor of this People, it is by the conjunct causes of appropriation; which are, 1. Necessarily the Peoples Consent; 2. Regularly, the Pastors approbation and recommendation, and reception of the person into their Communion. 3. And sometimes the Magistrate may do much •• oblige the people to consent.