A26892:6623
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. But besides this there is a necessity of Agreeing in the right management of this work: which needeth no new Head, but only the Consultations of the several Bishops or Pastors, and the Magistrates civil rule, or extrinsic Episcopacy (as Constantine called it.)
4. But besides this there is a necessity of Agreeing in the right management of this work: which needeth no new Head, but only the Consultations of the several Bishops or Pastors, and the Magistrates civil rule, or extrinsick Episcopacy (as Constantine called it.)
5. And besides this there is need to Ordain Pastors and Bishops in the Church. And this is not done by any source neither; but 1. By Judging what men are fit, 2. By persuading the people to ⟨p. 839⟩consent and receive them, and 3. By Investing them by a Delivery of possession by Imposition of hands. Now for all this, there needs no humane species of Bishops or Churches to be made.
5. And besides this there is need to Ordain Pastors and Bishops in the Church. And this is not done by any sorce neither; but 1. By Judging what men are fit, 2. By perswading the people to ⟨p. 839⟩consent and receive them, and 3. By Investing them by a Delivery of possession by Imposition of hands. Now for all this, there needs no humane species of Bishops or Churches to be made.
6. Besides this there is need of some oversight of these Pastors and Ministers and fixed Bishops when they are made; and of some General care of Pastors and people, if they decline to Heresies, errors, vices, or lukewarmness: But for this, 1. When Magistrates have done their part, 2. And neighbour Ministers to one another, 3. And the consociated Bishops to the particular ones: 4. And unfixed Ministers have done their part in the places where occasionally they come, If moreover any General Pastors or Arch-bishops are necessary, to rebuke, direct, and persuade the Bishops or their flocks, by messengers, Epistles or in presence, no doubt but God hath appointed such as the successors of the Apostles, Evangelists and other General Ministers of those first times. But if no such thing be appointed by Christ, we may be sure it is not necessary nor best.