A26892:6601
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.
18. But the best and easiest way to discern how far the making new Churches or Church offices is lawful or unlawful, is by trying it by the quality of their office-work. For it is the work which giveth us the description of the office; and the office of the Ruling part, which giveth us the definition of the Church, which that office constituteth.
The work which the new humane officer is to do, is either, 1. The same which God hath already appointed Bishops or Pastors to do, Or at least the unfixed Ministers in the universal Church; 2. Or1 it is such as he hath appointed Magistrates to do; 3. Or it is such as belongeth to private and lay men; 4. Or it is somewhat different from all these.
- 1☜
1. If it be of the first sort, it is a contradiction. For men that are by office appointed to do the same work which Ministers are already appointed to do, are not a new office, but Ministers indeed, such as Christ hath instituted: For the office is nothing but an Obligation and Authority to do the work.