A26892:558
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.
And there is something in the corrupted nature of man, that inclineth him to some additions and voluntary service of his Own inventions, as an offering most acceptable unto God: Hence it is that many poor Christians do rashly entangle their consciences with Vows, of circumstances and things unnecessary, as to give so much, to observe such days or hours, in fasting and prayer, not to do such or such a thing that in it self is lawful, with abundance of such things, which perhaps some change of providence may make accidentally their duty afterwards to do: or disable them to perform their Vows: And then these snares are ••••t•rs on their p•rpl•x•d consciences, perhaps as long as they live. Yea, some of the Autonomians teach the people, that things Indifferent are the fittest matter of a Vow; as to live single, to possess nothing, to live in solitude, and the like: Indeed all things lawful when they are vowed, must be performed: But it is unfit to be Vowed if it be not first profitable and best, for our selves or others: and that which is best is not indifferent, it being every mans duty to choose what is best. Vows are to bind us to the performance of that which God had bound us to by his Laws before: They are our expression of consent and resolution by a self-obligation to obey his will: And not to make new duties or Religion to our selves, which e•se would never have been our duty.
And there is something in the corrupted nature of man, that inclineth him to some additions and voluntary service of his Own inventions, as an offering most acceptable unto God: Hence it is that many poor Christians do rashly intangle their consciences with Vows, of circumstances and things unnecessary, as to give so much, to observe such dayes or hours, in fasting and prayer, not to do such or such a thing that in it self is lawful, with abundance of such things, which perhaps some change of providence may make accidentally their duty afterwards to do: or disable them to perform their Vows: And then these snares are ••••t•rs on their p•rpl•xd consciences, perhaps as long as they live. Yea, some of the Autonomians teach the people, that things Indifferent are the fittest matter of a Vow; as to live single, to pssss nothing, to live in solitude, and the like: Indeed all things lawful when they are vowed, must be performed: But it is unfit to be Vowed if it be not first profitable and best, for our selves or others: and that which is best is not indifferent, it being every mans duty to choose what is best. Vows are to bind us to the performance of that which God had bound us to by his Laws before: They are our expression of consent and resolution by a self-obligation to obey his will: And not to make new duties or Religion to our selves, which ese would never have been our duty.