A26892:26
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.
It is long ago since many foreign Divines subscribed a request, that the English would give them in Latin a sum of our Practical Theology; which Mr. Dury sent over, and twelve great Divines of ours wrote to Bishop Usher (as Dr. Bernard tells you in his Life) to draw them up a form or Method: But it was never done among them all; And it's said that Bishop Downame at last undertaking it, he dyed in the attempt. Had this been done, its like my labour might have been spared. But being undone, I have thus made this Essay. But I have been necessitated to leave out much (about Conversion, Mortification, Self-denial, Self-acquaintance, Faith, Justification, Judgement, Glory, &c.) because I had written of them all before.
It is long ago since many forreign Divines subscribed a request, that the English would give them in Latine a sum of our Practical Theologie; which Mr. Dury sent over, and twelve great Divines of ours wrote to Bishop Usher (as Dr. Bernard tells you in his Life) to draw them up a form or Method: But it was never done among them all; And it's said that Bishop Downame at last undertaking it, he dyed in the attempt. Had this been done, its like my labour might have been spared. But being undone, I have thus made this Essay. But I have been necessitated to leave out much (about Conversion, Mortification, Self-denyal, Self-acquaintance, Faith, Justification, Judgement, Glory, &c.) because I had written of them all before.
II. And I thought it not unuseful to the more Judicious Masters of Families; who may choose and read such parcels to their Families, as at any ⟨image 4⟩time the case requireth. And indeed I began it rudely, with an Intention of that Plainness and Brevity which Families require: But finding that it swelled to a bigger bulk than I intended, I was fain to write my Life of Faith, as a Breviate and Substitute, for the Families and persons that cannot have and use so large a Volume: (presupposing my Directions for sound Conversion, for weak Christians, and for p•ace of Conscience, printed long ago.)