A26892:515
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.
But 1. The greatest pretenders to Orthodoxness, are not the most Orthodox: 2. And if they were, I can value them for that in which they excel, without abating my due respect to the rest of the Church. 3. For the whole Church is Orthodox in all the Essentials of Christianity; or else they were not Christians: And I must love all that are Christians with that special Love that's due to the members of Christ, though I must superadd such esteem for those that are a little wiser or better than others, as they deserve.
But 1. The greatest pretenders to Orthodoxness, are not the most Orthodox: 2. And if they were, I can value them for that in which they excell, without abating my due respect to the rest of the Church. 3. For the whole Church is Orthodox in all the Essentials of Christianity; or else they were not Christians: And I must love all that are Christians with that special Love that's due to the members of Christ, though I must superadd such esteem for those that are a little wiser or better than others, as they deserve.
§. 7. The fourth pretence for Schism, is the Holiness of the party that men adhere to. But this must make but a gradual difference in our esteem and love to some Christians above others: If really they are most Holy, I must Love them most, and labour to be as Holy as they: But I must not therefore unjustly deny communion or due respect to other Christians that are less holy: nor cleave to them as a Sect or divided party whom I esteem most holy. For the holiest are most charitable, and most against the divisions among Christians, and tenderest of their Unity and Peace.
§. 8. The sum of this Direction is: 1. Highly value Christian Love and Unity: 2. Love those most that are most Holy, and be most familiar with them for your own edification: and if you have your choice, hold local personal communion, with the soundest, purest and best qualified Church. 3. But entertain not hastily any odd opinion of a divided party: or if you do hold it as an opinion, lay not greater weight on it, than there is cause. 4. Own the best as best, but none as a divided Sect; and espouse not their dividing interest. 5. Confine not your special Love to a party, especially for agreeing in some opinions with you: but extend it to all the members of Christ. 6. Deny not local communion, when there is occasion for it, to any Church that hath the substance of true Worship, and forceth you not to sin. 7. Love them as true Christians and Churches, even when they thus drive you from their communion.