A26892:5901
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.
I. The first part is too oft resolved mistakingly on both extremes. Some absolutely saying that Godliness or Faith is not necessary to the Being of the Ministry; And some that it is necessary. Whereas the true solution is as aforesaid; Sincere faith and Godliness is necessary to make a man a Minister so far as that God will own and justify him as sent by himself, as to his own Duty and Benefit: For he cannot be Internally, and Heartily a Christian Pastor that is no Christian, nor a Minister of God, who is not Godly, that is, •s not truly Resigned to God, obeyeth him not and Loveth him not as God. But yet the Reality of these are not necessary to make him a Visible Pastor, as to the Peoples Duty and Benefit.
I. The first part is too oft resolved mistakingly on both extreams. Some absolutely saying that Godliness or Faith is not necessary to the Being of the Ministry; And some that it is necessary. Whereas the true solution is as aforesaid; Sincere faith and Godliness is necessary to make a man a Minister so far as that God will own and justifie him as sent by himself, as to his own Duty and Benefit: For he cannot be Internally, and Heartily a Christian Pastor that is no Christian, nor a Minister of God, who is not Godly, that is, •s not truly Resigned to God, obeyeth him not and Loveth him not as God. But yet the Reality of these are not necessary to make him a Visible Pastor, as to the Peoples Duty and Benefit.
2. But the Profession of true Faith and Godliness is necessary so far, as that without it the people ought not to take him for a Visible Minister, (as the profession of Christianity is to a visible Christian.)
3. And in their choice they ought to prefer him caeteris paribus, whose profession is most credible.