A26892:17
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.
3. But there is a great disproportion between the several parts of the Book. 1. The first Part is largest, because I thought that the Heart must be kept with greatest diligence, and that if the Tree be good the fruit will be good; and I remember Pauls counsel, 1 Tim. 4. 16. Take heed to thy self and unto thy Doctrine: Continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thy self and them that hear thee. Nothing is well done by him that beginneth not at home: As the man is, so is his strength, and work. 2. The two first Chapters are too course and tedious for those of the higher form, (who may pass them over). But the rest must be spoken to; To whom that is unprofitable which is most suitable and pleasant to more exercised and accurate wits. The Grand. Directions are but the explication of the essentials of Christianity, or of the Baptismal Covenant, even of our Relation-duties to God the Father, Son (in several ⟨image 3⟩parts of his Relation) and of the Holy Ghost. The doctrine of Temptations is handled with brevity, because they are so numerous; lest a due amplification should have swelled the Book too much; (when a small part of their number maketh up so much of Mr. John Downame's great and excellent Treatise called The Christian Welfare.) The great radical sins are handled more largely than seemeth proportionable to the rest, because all die when they are dead. And I am large about Redeeming Time, because therein the sum of a holy obedient life is included.
3. But there is a great disproportion between the several parts of the Book. 1. The first Part is largest, because I thought that the Heart must be kept with greatest diligence, and that if the Tree be good the fruit will be good; and I remember Pauls counsel, 1 Tim. 4. 16. Take heed to thy self and unto thy Doctrine: Continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thy self and them that hear thee. Nothing is well done by him that beginneth not at home: As the man is, so is his strength, and work. 2. The two first Chapters are too course and tedious for those of the higher form, (who may pass them over). But the rest must be spoken to; To whom that is unprofitable which is most suitable and pleasant to more exercised and accurate wits. The Grand. Directions are but the explication of the essentials of Christianity, or of the Baptismal Covenant, even of our Relation-duties to God the Father, Son (in several