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Richard Baxter
A Christian Directory
Part 3
Question 21
p. 797

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,I. CHRISTIAN ETHICS (or private Duties.)II. CHRISTIAN OECONOMICKS (or Family Duties.)III. CHRISTIAN ECCLESIASTICS (or Church Duties.)IV. CHRISTIAN POLITICS (or Duties to our Rulers and Neighbours.)By RICHARD BAXTER.Mal. 2. 7▪ 8.The Priests lips should keep Knowledge, and they should seek the Law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts. But ye are departed out of the way: Ye have Caused many to stumble at the Law; ye have corrupted the Covenant of Levi—Matth. 13. 52.Every SCRIBE which is instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven, is like unto a man that is an Householder, which bringeth forth out of his Treasure things New and Old.Heb. 5. 13, 14.For every one that useth Milk is unskilful in the Word of Righteousness: for he is a Babe: But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age: Those who by reason of USE, have their senses exercised to discern both Good and Evil.2 Tim. 2. 14, 15, 16.Of these things put them in remembrance; charging them before God, that they STRIVE not about WORDS, to no profit, but to the subverting of the Hearers: Study to show thy self approved UNTO GOD, a Workman that needeth not to be ashamed, RIGHTLY DIVIDING the word of Truth. But shun profane and vain Babblings; for they will increase unto more Ungodliness, and their Word will eat as doth a Canker.2 Pet. 3. 16.In which (Pauls Epistles) are some things hard to be understood: which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures to their own destruction.LONDON, Printed, by Robert White, for Nevill Simmons, at the Sign of the Princes Arms in St. Pauls Church-yard. 1673.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,I. CHRISTIAN ETHICKS (or private Duties.)II. CHRISTIAN OECONOMICKS (or Family Duties.)III. CHRISTIAN ECCLESIASTICKS (or Church Duties.)IV. CHRISTIAN POLITICKS (or Duties to our Rulers and Neighbours.)By RICHARD BAXTER.Mal. 2. 7▪ 8.The Priests lips should keep Knowledge, and they should seek the Law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts. But ye are departed out of the way: Ye have Caused many to stumble at the Law; ye have corrupted the Covenant of Levi—Matth. 13. 52.Every SCRIBE which is instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven, is like unto a man that is an Housholder, which bringeth forth out of his Treasure things New and Old.Heb. 5. 13, 14.For every one that useth Milk is unskilful in the Word of Righteousness: for he is a Babe: But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age: Those who by reason of USE, have their senses exercised to discern both Good and Evil.2 Tim. 2. 14, 15, 16.Of these things put them in remembrance; charging them before God, that they STRIVE not aboutTitle page of A Christian Directory, London, 1673

A26892:6065

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.

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 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.

[ Earlier:6062–6077 of 9,947

:6062p. 796

4. But Re-ordination morally and properly so called, is unlawful: For, 1. It is (or implieth) a ly• ▪ viz. that we were not truly Dedicated and Separated to this office before.

4. But Re-ordination morally and properly so called, is unlawful: For, 1. It is (or implyeth) a ly• ▪ viz. that we were not truly Dedicated and Separated to this office before.

:6063p. 796

2. It is a Sacrilegious renunciation of our former dedication to God: whereas the Ministerial dedication and Covenant is for Life, and not for a trial; which is the meaning of the Indelible Character, which is a perpetual Relation and obligation.

2. It is a Sacrilegious renunciation of our former dedication to God: whereas the Ministerial dedication and Covenant is for Life, and not for a tryal; which is the meaning of the Indelible Character, which is a perpetual Relation and obligation.

:6064p. 797

3. It is a taking the Name of God in vain; thus to do and undo and do again: and to promise and renounce and promise again, and to pretend to receive a power which we had before.

3. It is a taking the Name of God in vain; thus to do and undoe and do again: and to promise and renounce and promise again, and to pretend to receive a power which we had before.

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Cited: :6065
On this page: :6062–6077
Section: :6046–6079
Whole work: 9,947 passages

Cite

Richard Baxter, A Christian Directory (London, 1673), pt. 3, q. 21, p. 797. EEBO-TCP A26892.

Or select words in any passage to make an image of them.

The book

Title as printed: 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.
Author: Richard Baxter 1615–1691
Place: London
Printer: Robert White
Bookseller: Nevill Simmons
Year: 1673
Size: [35], 929, [5], 214 p., [1] leaf of plates : port.
Words: 1,175,050
Catalogue: Wing B1219 · ESTC R21847
Text: EEBO-TCP A26892

Passages: 9,947
Sections: 502

The author

Richard Baxter 1615–1691

The Reformers and Puritans in their own words, with every quotation checked against the page.

Texts transcribed from the original printings by the Text Creation Partnership (EEBO-TCP and Evans-TCP) and dedicated to the public domain (CC0).

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WORDS,

to no profit, but to the subverting of the Hearers: Study to shew thy self approved

UNTO GOD,

a Workman that needeth not to be ashamed,

RIGHTLY DIVIDING

the word of Truth. But shun profane and vain Bablings; for they will increase unto more Ungodliness, and their Word will eat as doth a Canker.

2 Pet. 3. 16.In which (Pauls Epistles) are some things hard to be understood: which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures to their own destruction.

LONDON, Printed, by Robert White, for Nevill Simmons, at the Sign of the Princes Arms in St. Pauls Church-yard. 1673.

p. 797

4. It tendeth to great confusions in the Church; As to make the people doubt of their Baptism, or all the Ministerial Administrations of such as are re-ordained, while they acted by the first Ordination.

:6066p. 797

5. It hath ever been condemned in the Churches of Christ, as the Canons called the Apostles, and the Churches constant practice, testify.

5. It hath ever been condemned in the Churches of Christ, as the Canons called the Apostles, and the Churches constant practice, testifie.

:6067p. 797

5. Though the bare Repetition of the outward Action and words be not Re-ordination, yet he that on any of the forementioned occasions is put to repeat the said words and actions, is obliged so to do it, as that it may not seem to be a Re-ordination, and so be a scandal to the Church. Or if it outwardly seem so by the action, he is bound to declare that it is no such thing, for the counterpoising that appearance of evil.

:6068p. 797

6. When the Ordainers or the common estimation of the Church, do take the Repetition of the words and Action for a Re-ordination, though the Receiver so intend it not, yet it may become unlawful to him by this accident, because he scandalizeth and hardeneth the erroneous, by doing or receiving that which is Interpretative Re-ordination.

:6069p. 797

7. Especially when the Ordainers shall require this Repetition on notoriously wicked grounds, and so put that sense on the action by their own doctrines and demands: As for instance.

:6070p. 797

1. If Heretics should (as the Arians,) say that we are no Ministers, because we are not of their Heresy, or Ordained by such as they.

1. If Hereticks should (as the Arrians,) say that we are no Ministers, because we are not of their Heresie, or Ordained by such as they.

:6071p. 797

2. If the Pope or any proud Papal Usurpers shall say, You are no Ministers of Christ, except we ordain you; And so do it to establish a traitorous usurped Regiment in the Church; It is not lawful to serve such an usurpation. As if Cardinals or Arch-bishops should say, none are true Ministers but those that we Ordain: Or Councils or Synods of Bishops or Presbyters should say, None are true Ministers but those that we Ordain. Or if one Presbyter or one Bishop without Authority would thus make himself master of the rest, or of other Churches, and say, You are no Ministers unless I Ordain you; we may not promote such Tyranny and Usurpation.

2. If the Pope or any proud Papal Usurpers shall say, You are no Ministers of Christ, except we ordain you; And so do it to establish a trayterous usurped Regiment in the Church; It is not lawful to serve such an usurpation. As if Cardinals or Arch-bishops should say, none are true Ministers but those that we Ordain: Or Councils or Synods of Bishops or Presbyters should say, None are true Ministers but those that we Ordain. Or if one Presbyter or one Bishop without Authority would thus make himself master of the rest, or of other Churches, and say, You are no Ministers unless I Ordain you; we may not promote such Tyranny and Usurpation.

:6072p. 797

3. If Magistrates would usurp the power of the Keys, in Ecclesiastical Ordination, and say that none but they have power to Ordain, we may not encourage such pretences by repetition of the words and Action.

:6073p. 797

4. If they would make some thing necessary to Ordination which is not, as if it were a false Oath, or false subscription or profession, or some unlawful Ceremony (as if it were Anointing, wearing Horns, or any the like) and say, You are no Ministers without these, and therefore you must be Reordained to receive them.

:6074p. 797

5. Yea if they declare our former Ministry causelessly to be Null, and say, You are no Ministers till you are Ordained again, and so publicly put this sense upon our Action, that we take it as Re-ordination; All these Accidents make the Repetition of the words and actions to be unlawful, unless when Greater Accidents notoriously preponderate.

5. Yea if they declare our former Ministry causelesly to be Null, and say, You are no Ministers till you are Ordained again, and so publickly put this sense upon our Action, that we take it as Re-ordination; All these Accidents make the Repetition of the words and actions to be unlawful, unless when Greater Accidents notoriously preponderate.

:6075p. 797

Quest. But if such Church Tyrants should have so great power, as that without their Repetition of Ordination on those terms, the Ministry might not be exercised, is it lawful so to take it in a case of such necessity?

:6076p. 797

Answ. 1. Every seeming necessity to you, is not a necessity to the Church: 2. Either you may publicly declare a contrary sense in your Receiving their new orders or not.

Answ. 1. Every seeming necessity to you, is not a necessity to the Church: 2. Either you may publickly declare a contrary sense in your Receiving their new orders or not.

:6077p. 797

1. If you may not as publicly declare that you renounce not your former Ministry and Dedication to God in that office, as the Ordainers declare their sense of the Nullity of it, so that your open declaration may free you from the guilt of seeming consent, I conceive it is a sinful compliance with their sin. 2. Yea if you may so declare it, yet if there be no necessity of your Ministerial liberty in that place, I think you may not take it on such terms. As, 1. If there be worthy men enough to supply the Churches wants there without you. 2. And if you may serve God successfully in a persecuted state, though to the suffering of your flesh; 3. Or if your imprisonment for Preaching be like to be as serviceable to the Church and Gospel as your continued Preaching on those scandalous terms. 4. Or if you may remove and Preach in another Country.

1. If you may not as publickly declare that you renounce not your former Ministry and Dedication to God in that office, as the Ordainers declare their sense of the Nullity of it, so that your open declaration may free you from the guilt of seeming consent, I conceive it is a sinful complyance with their sin. 2. Yea if you may so declare it, yet if there be no necessity of your Ministerial liberty in that place, I think you may not take it on such terms. As, 1. If there be worthy men enough to supply the Churches wants there without you. 2. And if you may serve God successfully in a persecuted state, though to the suffering of your flesh; 3. Or if your imprisonment for Preaching be like to be as serviceable to the Church and Gospel as your continued Preaching on those scandalous terms. 4. Or if you may remove and Preach in another Countrey.

Puritans

England

Pastor at Kidderminster and prolific nonconformist author.

Transcription key

•: an illegible letter
〈…〉: illegible words
〈non-Latin alphabet〉: Greek or Hebrew the transcribers did not key
▪: illegible punctuation
⟨p. 12⟩: a page break in the printed book