A26892:6445
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.
II. As to the nullity I will not determine so controverted a point any further than to say, 1. That if the Lay-man had the Counterfeit Orders of a Minister, and had possession of the place, and were taken for one, his deceit deprived not the Receiver of his right, nor made it his sin, and I should not re-baptize him, if after discovered.
2. But if he were in no possession or pretence of the Office, I would be baptized again, if it were my case: Because I should fear that what is done in Christs name by one that notoriously had no authority from him to do it, is not owned by Christ as his deed, and so is a nullity. As if a deceiver go in my name to make bargains for me.
3. And if any that had after discovered a Minister to be indeed no Minister that baptized him, should doubt of the validity, and for certainty have it done again by an authorized Minister, I would not discommend him: Nor would I account it Morally twice baptizing, but a Physical repeating of that act which morally is but one: (As I explained before of Re-ordination).
Therefore if one that was a gross Heretic in the very Essentials, or an Infidel, or one that had not knowledge and parts essentially necessary to the Ministry baptize one (in right words) I would not blame him that for certainty would have an authorized person to do it: Especially if he was notoriously such a one when he did it. Let those that are angry with this resolution be as fair to me as they will be to Venerable Bede, and that great Miracle-working Bishop John, whom in his Ecclesiastical History he reporteth to baptize a man again in England, merely because the Priest that did