A26892:6109
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.
7. He that by the Call or Consent of a Neighbour Pastor and people doth officiate (by Preaching, Sacraments, Excommunication or Absolution) in another's special charge for a day, or week, or month, or more, without a fixed relation to that flock, doth neither officiate as a Lay-man, nor yet unlawfully or irregularly; But, 1. As a Minister of Christ in the Church Universal. 2. And as the Pastor of that Church for the present time only, though not statedly: Even as a Physician called to help another in his Hospital, or to supply his place for the time, doth perform his work, 1. As a Licensed Physician, 2. And as the Physician of that patient or Hospital for that time, though not statedly.
7. He that by the Call or Consent of a Neighbour Pastor and people doth officiate (by Preaching, Sacraments, Excommunication or Absolution) in anothers special charge for a day, or week, or month, or more, without a fixed relation to that flock, doth neither officiate as a Lay-man, nor yet unlawfully or irregularly; But, 1. As a Minister of Christ in the Church Universal. 2. And as the Pastor of that Church for the present time only, though not statedly: Even as a Physicion called to help another in his Hospital, or to supply his place for the time, doth perform his work, 1. As a Licensed Physicion, 2. And as the Physicion of that patient or Hospital for that time, though not statedly.
8. No man is to intrude into another's Charge without a Call; Much less to claim a particular stated Oversight and Authority. For though he be not an Usurper as to the Office in General, he is an Usurper as to that particular flock. It is no error in Ordination to say [Take thou authority to preach the Word of God, and administer the holy Sacraments when thou shalt be thereto lawfully called,] that is, when thou hast a particular call to the exercise, and to a fixed Charge, as thou hast now a Call to the Office in general.
8. No man is to intrude into anothers Charge without a Call; Much less to claim a particular stated Oversight and Authority. For though he be not an Usurper as to the Office in General, he is an Usurper as to that particular flock. It is no error in Ordination to say [Take thou authority to preach the Word of God, and administer the holy Sacraments when thou shalt be thereto lawfully called,] that is, when thou hast a particular call to the exercise, and to a fixed Charge, as thou hast now a Call to the Office in general.