A26892:6551
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.
4. So by Church Officers are meant, either such as are accounted essential to a Church in the pure Christian sense; or Integral at least (as Deacons): Or else such as are accounted but Accidental to it, and Essential only to the humane form. And so I answer.
1. As there are some things circa sacra, or Accidents of Gods special Church Worship, which are left to humane prudence to determine of, so the same humane prudence may determine who shall do them. As e. g. Who shall repair the Buildings of the Church; the Windows, the Bells, the Pulpits, the Tables, &c. who shall keep the Clock; who shall keep the Cups, Clothes, and other Utensils; who shall be the Porter, the keeper of the Books, &c. Who shall call the people to Church, or ring the Bells, or give them notice of Church assemblies: who shall make bread for the Sacrament, or provide Wine, or bring Water for baptism: who shall make the Graves, and bury the Dead, or attend Marriages, or Baptizings, &c. Who shall set the Tune of the Psalm, or use the Church-Music (if there be any): who shall summon any of the people on any just occasion to come to their Pastors; or who shall summon the Pastors to any Synod, or lawful Assembly, and give them notice of the time and place: When they are to meet, who shall be called first, and who second? Who shall sit highest, and who lowest? Who shall take the Votes, or moderate or guide the Disputations of the Assembly? Who shall be the Scribe, and record what is done? Who shall send abroad their Agreements; and who shall be the Church-messenger to carry them. The Agents of such Circumstantials may be chosen by the Magistrate: or by the Churches or Pastors, as is most convenient. ⟨p. 833⟩Though I doubt not but in the beginning the Deacons were mere servants to the Pastors, to do as much of such circumstantial work, as they were able, of which serving at Tables, and looking to the poor, and carrying Bread and Wine to the absent, &c. were but parts: And all went under the name of Ministering to the Pastors or Churches. And therefore they seem to be but such an Accidental Office, appointed by the Apostles, on such common reasons, as Magistrates or Churches might have appointed them, if they had not.