A26892:2442
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.
§. 26. If God had made all points of faith, or Scripture revelation of equal necessity, our Baptism would not only have mentioned our Belief in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost: nor should we ever have seen the ancient Creed; nor the ten Commandments. And if all points were of equal Evidence, and plainness, and certainty to us, we should not have some so much controverted above others: Some things in Scripture are hard to be understood, but not all things, 2 Pet. 3. 16. To pretend that any Truth is more necessary than it is, doth tend to uncharitableness and contention; And to say that any is less necessary than it is, doth tend to the neglect of it, and to the danger of souls: To pretend any point to be more plain and certain than it is, doth but show our pride and ignorance. But to set up uncertain and unnecessary points, and make a Religion of them, and reduce things certain or necessary to them, this is the method of turbulent Heretics.
§. 26. If God had made all points of faith, or Scripture revelation of equal necessity, our Baptism would not only have mentioned our Belief in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost: nor should we ever have seen the antient Creed; nor the ten Commandments. And if all points were of equall Evidence, and plainness, and certainty to us, we should not have some so much controverted above others: Some things in Scripture are hard to be understood, but not all things, 2 Pet. 3. 16. To pretend that any Truth is more necessary than it is, doth tend to uncharitableness and contention; And to say that any is less necessary than it is, doth tend to the neglect of it, and to the danger of souls: To pretend any point to be more plain and certain than it is, doth but shew our pride and ignorance. But to set up uncertain and unnecessary points, and make a Religion of them, and reduce things certain or necessary to them, this is the method of turbulent Hereticks.
§. 27. Direct. 13. Take nothing as universally Necessary in Religion, which was not so taken in the