A26892:35
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.
Readers, you see on what terms we must do the work of God? Our slothful flesh is backward, and weary of so much labour: Malignant enemies of piety are against it all. Some slothful brethren think it necessary to cloak their fleshly ease, by vilifying the diligence of others. Many Sects whom we oppose, think it the interest of their cause (which they call Gods cause) to make all that's said against them seem vain, contemptible and odious; which because they cannot do by Confutation, they'll do by backbiting and confident chat. And one or two Reverend Brethren, have, by the wisdom described exactly, James 3. 15, 16. arrived at the liberty of backbiting and Magisterial sentencing the works of others, (which they confess they never read,) that their Reputation of being most Learned, Orthodox, Worthy Divines, may keep the Chair at easier rates, than the wasting of their flesh in unwearied labours to know the truth, and communicate it to the world. And some are angry, who are forward to write, that the Booksellers and Readers silence not others as well as them.
Readers, you see on what terms we must do the work of God? Our slothful flesh is backward, and weary of so much labour: Malignant enemies of piety are against it all. Some slothful brethren think it necessary to cloak their fleshly ease, by vilifying the diligence of others. Many Sects whom we oppose, think it the interest of their cause (which they call Gods cause) to make all thats said against them seem vain, contemptible and odious; which because they cannot do by Confutation, they'le do by backbiting and confident chat. And one or two Reverend Brethren, have, by the wisdom described exactly, Iames 3. 15, 16. arrived at the liberty of backbiting and Magisterial sentencing the works of others, (which they confess they never read,) that their Reputation of being most Learned, Orthodox, Worthy Divines, may keep the Chair at easier rates, than the wasting of their flesh in unwearied labours to know the truth, and communicate it to the world. And some are angry, who are forward to write, that the Booksellers and Readers silence not others as well as them.