A26892:6096
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.
3. But if the case be not thus to be determined by the persons notorious qualifications, then either it is, 1. The man ordained, 2. Or the People that the case is debated by, whether they should take him for a Minister; 3. Or the neighbour Ministers.
1. The person himself is caeteris paribus more to regard the judgement of many concordant Bishops, than of one singular Bishop; And therefore is not to take orders from a singular Bishop, when the Generality of the wise and faithful are against it; unless he be sure that it is some notorious faction or error that perverteth them, and that there be notorious necessity of his labour.
1. The person himself is caeteris paribus more to regard the judgement of many concordant Bishops, than of one singular Bishop; And therefore is not to take orders from a singular Bishop, when the Generality of the wise and faithful are against it; unless he be sure that it is some notorious faction or errour that perverteth them, and that there be notorious necessity of his labour.
2. The Auditors are either Infidels to be converted, (and these will take no man upon any of their Authorities), or else Christians converted. These are either of the particular charge of the singular Bishop who ordaineth, or not: If they be, then pro tempore for orders sake, they owe him a peculiar obedience, till some further process or discovery disoblige them, (Though the most be on the other side). But yet they may be still bound in Reason most to suspect the Judgement of their singular Bishop, while for orders sake they submit to it. But if they are not of his flock, then, I suppose the Judgement and Act of many is to prevail so much against the Act of a single and singular person, as that both neighbour Ministers and people are to disown such an ordained person as unfit for their Communion under the notion of a Minister, (Because Communion of Churches is maintained by the Concord of Pastors). But whether the ordained mans Ministry, be by their contradictory declaration