A Christian Directory

Name: A Christian Directory
Author: Richard Baxter

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.

Richard Baxter 1615–1691London: printed by Robert White for Nevill Simmons, 1673

[35], 929, [5], 214 p., [1] leaf of plates : port. · 1.2M words · Wing B1219 · ESTC R21847

Title page typeset from the transcription.

Part 1 › Chapter 2 › Direction 12: Direct. 12. IF Controversies occasion any Divisions where you live, be sure to look fir…Part 1 › Chapter 2 › Direction 12: Direct. 12. IF Controversies •ccasion any Divisions where you live, be sure to look fir…

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.

[ Earlier:538–553 of 9,947

:538p. 53

It is a sad thing to go on many years together in censuring, opposing and abusing th•se that are against you, and in seducing others, and mis-employing your zeal, and parts, and time and poisoning all your prayers and discourses, and in the end to see what mischief you have done for want of knowledge, and with Paul to confess, that you were mad in opposing the truth and servants of God, though you did it in a zeal of God through ignorance. Were it not much better to stay till you have tried the ground, and prevent so many years grievous sin, than to scape by a sad repentance, and leave behind you stinking and venomous fruits of your mistake? (And worse, if you never repent your selves;) Your own and your Brethren's souls are not so lightly to be ventured upon dangerous untried ways. It will not make the Truth and Church amends, to say at last, I had thought I had done well. Let those go to the Wars of disputing and […], and c•nsu•ing, and siding with a Sect that are riper, and better understand the cause: Wars are not for Children: Do you suspend your judgement till you can solidly and certainly inform it: and serve God in Charity, quietness and peace: And its two to one, but you will live to see the day, that the contenders that would have led you into their Wars, will come off with so much loss themselves, as will teach them to approve your peaceable course, or teach you to bless God that kept you in your place and duty.

It is a sad thing to go on many years together in censuring, opposing and abusing th•se that are against you, and in seducing others, and mis-imploying your zeal, and parts, and time and poysoning all your prayers and discourses, and in the end to see what mischief you have done for want of knowledge, and with Paul to confess, that you were mad in opposing the truth and servants of God, though you did it in a zeal of God through ignorance. Were it not much better to stay till you have tryed the ground, and prevent so many years grievous sin, than to scape by a sad repentance, and leave behind you stinking and venemous fruits of your mistake? (And worse, if you never repent your selves;) Your own and your Brethrens souls are not so lightly to be ventured upon dangerous untryed wayes. It will not make the Truth and Church amends, to say at last, I had thought I had done well. Let those go to the Wars of disputing and 〈…〉, and cnsuing, and siding with a Sect that are riper, and better understand the cause: Wars are not for Children: Do you suspend your judgement till you can solidly and certainly inform it: and serve God in Charity, quietness and peace: And its two to one, but you will live to see the day, that the contenders that would have led you into their Wars, will come off with so much loss themselves, as will teach them to approve your peaceable course, or teach you to bless God that kept you in your place and duty.

[ Earlier passages Later passages ]

A Christian Directory

Direct. 13. Know that true Godliness is the Best Life upon Earth, and the only may to perfect¹ Happiness: Still apprehend it therefore, and Use it as the best: and with great diligence ••sist those Temptations which would make it seem to you a confounding grievous or unpleasant thing.

Direct. 13. KNow that true Godliness is the Best Life upon Earth, and the only may to perfect¹ Happiness: Still apprehend it therefore, and Use it as the best: and with great diligence ••sist those Temptations which would make it seem to you a confounding grievous or unpleasant thing.

Transcription key

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

Direct. 13. Know that true Godliness is the Best Life upon Earth, and the only may to perfect1 Happiness: Still apprehend it therefore, and Use it as the best: and with great diligence ••sist those Temptations which would make it seem to you a confounding grievous or unpleasant thing.

Direct. 13. KNow that true Godliness is the Best Life upon Earth, and the only may to perfect1 Happiness: Still apprehend it therefore, and Use it as the best: and with great diligence ••sist those Temptations which would make it seem to you a confounding grievous or unpleasant thing.

Transcription key

Direct. 13. Know that true Godliness is the Best Life upon Earth, and the only may to perfect¹ Happiness: Still apprehend it therefore, and Use it as the best: and with great diligence ••sist those Temptations which would make it seem to you a confounding grievous or unpleasant thing.

Direct. 13. KNow that true Godliness is the Best Life upon Earth, and the only may to perfect¹ Happiness: Still apprehend it therefore, and Use it as the best: and with great diligence ••sist those Temptations which would make it seem to you a confounding grievous or unpleasant thing.