A26892:1831
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.
§. 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.
§. 10. 7. A good name among men, which is the reputation of our integrity is not to be neglected as a thing of naught; for it is a mercy from God for which we must be thankful, and it is a useful means to our successful serving and honouring God: And the more eminent we are, and the more the honour of God and Religion is joined with ours, or the good of mens souls dependeth1 on our reputation, the more careful we should be of it; and it may be a duty sometimes to vindicate it by the Magistrates justice, against a slander. Especially Preachers, (whose success for the saving of their hearers depends much on their good name) must not despise it.