A26892:570
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.
§. 1. It is a matter of very great importance, what Teachers you choose in order to your salvation. In this the free grace of God much differenceth some from others: For as poor Heathens and Infidels have none that know more, than what the Book of Nature teacheth (if so much); so in the several Nations of Christians, it is hard for the people to have any, but such as the Sword of the Magistrate forceth on them, or the stream of their Countries Custom recommendeth to them. And it is a wonder1 if pure Truth and Holiness be countenanced by either of these. But when and where his mercy pleaseth, God sendeth wise and holy Teachers, with compassion and diligence, to seek the saving of mens souls, so that none but the malignant and obstinate are deprived of their help.
§. 1. It is a matter of very great importance, what Teachers you choose in order to your salvation. In this the free grace of God much differenceth some from others: For as poor Heathens and Infidels have none that know more, than what the Book of Nature teacheth (if so much); so in the several Nations of Christians, it is hard for the people to have any, but such as the Sword of the Magistrate forceth on them, or the stream of their Countreys Custom recommendeth to them. And it is a wonder1 if pure Truth and Holiness be countenanced by either of these. But when and where his mercy pleaseth, God sendeth wise and holy Teachers, with compassion and diligence, to seek the saving of mens souls, so that none but the malignant and obstinate are deprived of their help.
- 1Scienti• est posse d•cere. Proverb Sub indocto tamen doctus evad•re potes, •ffla•u aliquo divino, ut Ci••ro loquitur. Augustinus de seipso testatur (cui non omnia credere nefas est) quod & Aristotelicas Categorias, quae inter difficillima numerantur, & arts liberals, (quas singulas a praeceptoribus didicisse magnum dicitur) nullo tradete, omnes intellexit. ardus item, vir doctrina & sanctitate clarissimus, omnes suas literas (quarum inter cunctos sui temporis abundantissimus fu) in slvis & in agris didicit, non hominum magisterio, sed meditando & orando, nec ullos unquam alios praeceptores habuit, quam quercus & sagos. Ptrch. li. 2. Dialog. 40.