A26892:1830
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.
§. 8. 5. Especially we must reverence the judgement of our able faithful Teachers, and not by pride set up our weaker judgement against them, and resist the truth which they deliver to us from God. Neither must we set light by the censures or admonitions of the lawful Pastors of the Church: When they are agreeable to the word and judgement of God, they are very dreadful: As Tertullian 1saith, If any so offend as to be banished from communion of prayer, and assembly and all holy commerce, it is a judgement foregoing the great judgement to come. Yea if the Officers of Christ should wrong you in their censures by passion or mistake, while they act in their own charge about matters belonging to their cognisance and judgement, you must respectfully and patiently bear the wrong, so as not to dishonour and contemn the authority and office so abused.
§. 9. 6. If sober godly persons that are well acquainted with us, do strongly suspect us to be faulty where we discern it not our selves; it should make us the more suspicious and fearful; and it judicious persons fear you to be Hypocrites, and no sound Christians, by observing your temper and course of life, it should make you search with the greater fear, and not to disregard their judgement. And if judicious persons, especially Ministers, shall tell a poor fearful doubting Christian, that they verily think their state is safe, it may be a great stay to them, and must not be slighted as nothing, though it cannot give them a certainty of their case. Thus far mans judgement must be valued.
§. 9. 6. If sober godly persons that are well acquainted with us, do strongly suspect us to be faulty where we discern it not our selves; it should make us the more suspitious and fearful; and it judicious persons fear you to be Hypocrites, and no sound Christians, by observing your temper and course of life, it should make you search with the greater fear, and not to disregard their judgement. And if judicious persons, especially Ministers, shall tell a poor fearful doubting Christian, that they verily think their state is safe, it may be a great stay to them, and must not be sleighted as nothing, though it cannot give them a certainty of their case. Thus far mans judgement must be valued.