A26892:6882
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. 84. Is it not a sin for our Clerks to make themselves the mouth of the people, who are no ordained Ministers of Christ?
Answ. 1. IN those places where ordained Deacons do it, this objection hath no place. 2. The Clerks are not appointed to be the mouth of the people, But only each Clerk is one of the people commanded to do that which all should do, lest it should be wholly left undone. If all the Congregation will speak all that the Clerk doth, it will answer the primary desire of the Church-Governors, who bid the People do it: But if they that will not do it themselves, shall pretend that the Clerk doth usurp the Ministry, because he ceaseth not as well as they; they might as well say so by a few that should sing Psalms in the Church, when the rest are against it and forbear. May not a man do his duty in singing or saying, when you refuse yours, without pretending to be your mouth, or usurping the Ministry?
Answ. 1. IN those places where ordained Deacons do it, this objection hath no place. 2. The Clerks are not appointed to be the mouth of the people, But only each Clerk is one of the people commanded to do that which all should do, lest it should be wholly left undone. If all the Congregation will speak all that the Clerk doth, it will answer the primary desire of the Church-Governours, who bid the People do it: But if they that will not do it themselves, shall pretend that the Clerk doth usurp the Ministry, because he ceaseth not as well as they; they might as well say so by a few that should sing Psalms in the Church, when the rest are against it and forbear. May not a man do his duty in singing or saying, when you refuse yours, without pretending to be your mouth, or usurping the Ministry?