A26892:6440
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. 47. Is Baptism by Lay-men or Women Lawful in Cases of necessity? Or are they nullities, and the person to be re-baptized?
Answ. 1. I Know some of the Ancients allowed it in necessity. But I know no such necessity that can be: For 1. God hath expressly made it a part of the Ministerial Office by Commission, Mat. 28. 19, 20. 2. He hath no where given to any other either Command to oblige them to do it, or Commission to authorize them, or Promise to bless and accept them in it, or Threatening if they omit it. 3. He oft severely punisheth such as invade the Sacred Function, or usurp any part of of it. 4. Therefore it is a sin in the doer, and then there can be no necessity of it in such a case in the receiver. 5. He that is in Covenant by open professed Consent, wants nothing necessary to his salvation, either necessitate medii vel praecepti, when it cannot be had in a lawful way.
Answ. 1. I Know some of the Antients allowed it in necessity. But I know no such necessity that can be: For 1. God hath expresly made it a part of the Ministerial Office by Commission, Mat. 28. 19, 20. 2. He hath no where given to any other either Command to oblige them to do it, or Commission to authorize them, or Promise to bless and accept them in it, or Threatning if they omit it. 3. He oft severely punisheth such as invade the Sacred Function, or usurp any part of of it. 4. Therefore it is a sin in the doer, and then there can be no necessity of it in such a case in the receiver. 5. He that is in Covenant by open professed Consent, wants nothing necessary to his salvation, either necessitate medii vel praecepti, when it cannot be had in a lawful way.