A26892:6073
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. 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.
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.
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.