A26892:18
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. If any say, Why call you that a sum of Practical Theology which is but the Directing part, and leaveth out the explication, reasons, various Uses, marks, motives, &c? I answer, 1. Had I intended Sermon-wise to say all that might well be said on each subject, it would have made many Volumes as big as this. 2. Where I thought them needful, the explication of each duty and sin is added, with marks, contraries, counterfeits, motives, &c. And Uses are easily added by an ordinary Reader, without my naming them.
4. If any say, Why call you that a sum of Practical Theologie which is but the Directing part, and leaveth out the explication, reasons, various Uses, marks, motives, &c? I answer, 1. Had I intended Sermonwise to say all that might well be said on each subject, it would have made many Volumes as big as this. 2. Where I thought them needful, the explication of each duty and sin is added, with marks, contraries, counterfeits, motives, &c. And Uses are easily added by an ordinary Reader, without my naming them.
5. I do especially desire you to observe, that the resolving of practical Cases of Conscience, and the reducing of Theoretical knowledge into serious Christian Practice and promoting a skilful facility in the faithful exercise of universal obedience, and Holiness of heart and life, is the great work of this Treatise; And that where I thought it needful the Cases are reduced to express Questions and Answers: But had I done so by all, many such Volumes would have been too little: And therefore I thought the Directing way most brief and fit for Christian practice: For if you mark them, you will find few Directions in the Book, which may not pass for the answer of an (implied) Question or Case of Conscience, And when I have given you the Answer in a Direction, an ingenious Reader can tell what Question it is that is answered; And so, many hundred Cases are here resolved, especially in the two first Parts, which are not interrogatively named.
5. I do especially desire you to observe, that the resolving of practical Cases of Conscience, and the reducing of Theoretical knowledge into serious Christian Practice and promoting a skilful facility in the faithful exercise of universal obedience, and Holiness of heart and life, is the great work of this Treatise; And that where I thought it needful the Cases are reduced to express Questions and Answers: But had I done so by all, many such Volumes would have been too little: And therefore I thought the Directing way most brief and fit for Christian practice: For if you mark them, you will find few Directions in the Book, which may not pass for the answer of an (implyed) Question or Case of Conscience, And when I have given you the Answer in a Direction, an ingenious Reader can tell what Question it is that is answered; And so, many hundred Cases are here resolved, especially in the two first Parts, which are not interrogatively named.