A26892:7516
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.
2. No doubt but it is a work well beseeming the ordained Ministers or Pastors, and an integral part of their Office; and should not be put off by them when they can do it.
3. When they need help the Deacons are ordained Ministers authorized to help them in such work, and fittest to do it.
4. Whether in a case of necessity a Lay-man may not ordinarily Read the Scripture to the Congregation, is a Case that I am loth to determine, being loth to suppose such a necessity. But if the Minister cannot, and there be no Deacon, I cannot prove it unlawful for a Lay-man to do it under the direction of the Pastor. I lived sometime under an old Minister of about eighty years of age (who never preached himself), whose eye sight failing him, and having not maintenance to keep an assistant, he did by Memory say the Common-prayer himself, and got a Taylor one year, and a Thresher or poor day-labourer another year to Read all the Scriptures. Whether that were not better than nothing, I leave to consideration.
And I think it is commonly agreed on, that where there is no Minister, it is better for the people to meet and hear a Lay-man Read the Scriptures and some good Books, than to have no public helps and Worship.