A26892:5919
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.
4. Not that the Peoples consent is necessary to the general office of a Gospel Minister, to Preach and Baptize; but only to the appropriation or relation of a Minister to themselves; that is, To the Being of a Pastor of a particular Church as such, but not of a Minister of Christ as such.
5. A mans soul is of so great value above all the favour of man, or treasures of this world, that no man should be indifferent, to what mans care he doth commit it; nor should he hazard it upon the danger of everlasting misery, for fear of displeasing man, or being accused of schism or disorder.
6. There is as great difference between an Able, Learned, Judicious, Orthodox, Godly, diligent, lively Teacher, and an ignorant, Heretical, ungodly, dull and slothful man, as is between a skilful and an Ignorant Pilot at Sea; or between an Able, experienced, faithful Physician, and an ignorant, rash and treacherous one, as to the saving mens lives. And he that would not take a Sot or Empiric for ⟨p. 782⟩his Physician who were like to kill him, and refuse the counsel of an able Physician, in obedience to a1 Magistrate or Bishop, hath as little reason to do the like by his soul; nor should he set less by that than by his life. And, if Paul said, we have this power for Edification and not for destruction, we may say so of all Magistrates and Bishops. Sober Divines have lately showed their error who teach men that they must be ready to submit to damnation if God require it, or to suppose that his Glory and our salvation are separable ends; because damnation is a thing which nature necessitateth man not to desire or intend! And shall we ascribe more to a Magistrate than to God? and say that we must cast our souls on a likelihood of damnation to keep order, and in obedience to man? No man can be saved without knowledge and Holiness; An ignorant, dead, ungodly Minister, is far less likely to help us to Knowledge and Holiness, than an Able holy man. To say God can work by the unfittest instrument is nothing to the purpose; Till you prove that God would have us take him for his instrument, and that he useth equally to work by such as well as by the fit and worthy, or that we expect wonders from God, and that ordinarily without tempting him! Yea, when such an Usurper of the Ministry is like to damn himself, as well as the people.