A69533:923
Five disputations of church-government and worship
Five disputations of church-government and worship by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by R.W. for Nevil Simmons, 1659
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.
Sect. 47. And 6. It is considerable also, that whoever is according to Christs institution Ordained a Minister of a particular Church, is withal (if not before) Ordained a Minister simply; that is, one that may as a separated Messenger of Christ, both preach for the Conversion of those without, and gather Churches where there are none, and pro tempore do the Office ⟨p. 268⟩of a Minister, to any part of the Catholic Church, where he cometh and hath a Call. And therefore as he is simply a Minister, and the Unconverted world, or the Universal Church are the Objects of his Ministry, the Pastors or Members of that particular Church where he is settled, have no more to do in Ordaining him then any other. As a Corporation may choose their own Physician▪ Schoolmaster, &c. but cannot do any more then other men, in Licensing a man to be in general a Physician, Schoolmaster, &c. So may a Church choose who shall be their Teacher, but not who shall be simply a Teacher or Minister of Christ, any more then an other Church may do, that's further from him.
Sect. 47. And 6. It is considerable also, that whoever is according to Christs institution Ordained a Minister of a particular Church, is withall (if not before) Ordained a Minister simply; that is, one that may as a separated Messenger of Christ, both preach for the Conversion of those without, and gather Churches where there are none, and pro tempore do the Office ⟨p. 268⟩of a Minister, to any part of the Catholike Church, where he cometh and hath a Call. And therefore as he is simply a Minister, and the Unconverted world, or the Universal Church are the Objects of his Ministry, the Pastors or Members of that particular Church where he is settled, have no more to do in Ordaining him then any other. As a Corporation may choose their own Physitian▪ Schoolmaster, &c. but cannot do any more then other men, in Licensing a man to be in general a Physitian, Schoolmaster, &c. So may a Church choose who shall be their Teacher, but not who shall be simply a Teacher or Minister of Christ, any more then an other Church may do, that's further from him.