A26892:6081
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.
Quest. 22. How many Ordainers are necessary to the validity of Ordination by Gods institution? Whether one or more?
MY Question is not of the ancient Canons, or any humane Laws, or customs: For those are easily known. But of Divine Right: Now either God hath determined the case as to the number of Ordainers necessary, or not: If not, either he hath given the Church some General rule to determine it by, or not. If not, then the number is not any part of the Divine Order or Law, And then, if we suppose that he hath determined the case as to the Ordaining office and not to the Number, then it will follow that one may serve. The truth I think may be thus explained.
MY Question is not of the ancient Canons, or any humane Laws, or customes: For those are easily known. But of Divine Right: Now either God hath determined the case as to the number of Ordainers necessary, or not: If not, either he hath given the Church some General rule to determine it by, or not. If not, then the number is not any part of the Divine Order or Law, And then, if we suppose that he hath determined the case as to the Ordaining office and not to the Number, then it will follow that one may serve. The truth I think may be thus explained.
1. There is Ordo officialis primarius, and ordo ordinis, vel exercitii, vel secundarius; An Order of Office primary, and an Order of Exercise secondary, in the Church. As to the first, the Order of office, God hath determined, that the Ordaining officers, and no others, shall ordain officers, or give Orders. And having not determined whether one or more, it followeth that the ordination of one sole lawful ordainer is no nullity on that account because it is but one, unless somewhat else nullify it.