A26892:5606
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.
§ 53. 5. The concord of Believers doth greatly conduce to the successes of the Ministry, and propagation of the Gospel, and the conviction of unbelievers, and the conversion and salvation of ungodly souls. When Christ prayeth for the Unity of his Disciples, he redoubleth this argument from the effect or end, [that the world may believe that thou hast sent me:] and [that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, &c. Joh. 17. 21, 23.] Would this make the world believe that Christ was sent of God? Yes, undoubtedly if all Christians were reduced to a Holy Concord, it would do more to win the Heathen world, than all other means can do without it. It is the Divisions and the wickedness of professed Christians, that maketh Christianity so contemned by the Mohammedans, and other Infidels of the world: And it is the Holy Concord of Christians that would convince and draw them home to Christ. Love and Peace and concord are such virtues, as all the world is forced to applaud, notwithstanding natures enmity to good. When the first Christian Church were all with one accord in one place, and continued daily with one accord in the Temple, and breaking bread from house to house partook of food with gladness and singleness of heart, and when the multitude of believers were of one heart and of one soul, &c. Act. 2. 1, 46. & 4. 32. then did God send upon them1 the Holy Ghost, and then were three thousand converted at a Sermon; And with great power gave the Apostles witness of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.2
§ 53. 5. The concord of Believers doth greatly conduce to the successes of the Ministery, and propagation of the Gospel, and the conviction of unbelievers, and the conversion and salvation of ungodly souls. When Christ prayeth for the Unity of his Disciples, he redoubleth this argument from the effect or end, [that the world may believe that thou hast sent me:] and [that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, &c. Joh. 17. 21, 23