A26892:6054
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.
Part 3 › Question 21: Quest. 21. May a man be oft or twice Ordained?
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.
1. In case there wanted sufficient witnesses of his Ordination; and so the Church hath not sufficient means of notice or satisfaction, that ever he was ordained indeed: Or if the witnesses die before the notification. Whether the Church should take his word or not, in such a case, is none of my question, but Whether he should submit to the Repetition if they will not.
2. Especially in a time and place (which I have known) when written and sealed Orders are often counterfeited, and so the Church called to extraordinary care.
3. Or if the Church or Magistrate be guilty of some causeless culpable incredulity, and will not believe it was done till they see it done again.
4. Or in case that some real or supposed Integral (though not essential) part was omitted, or is by the Church or Magistrate supposed to be omitted; And they will not permit or receive the Minister to exercise his office, unless he repeat the whole Action again, and make up that defect.