A26892:5972
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.
2. By Baptism we mean, open devotion or dedication to God by the Baptismal Covenant, in which the adult for themselves, and Parents for their Infants, do Profess Consent to the Covenant of Grace; which includeth a Belief of all the Essential Articles of the faith, and a Resolution for sincere obedience▪ and a Consent to the Relations between God and us, viz. that he be our Reconciled Father, our Saviour and our Sanctifier.
3. The Continuance of this Consent, is necessary to the continuance of our visible membership.
4. He that through ignorance, or incapacity for want of water, or a Minister, is not baptized, and yet is solemnly, or notoriously dedicated and devoted to God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, in the same Covenant, though without the outward Sign, and professeth openly the same Religion, is a visible Christian, though not by a complete and regular visibility; As a Soldier not listed nor taking his Colours, or a Marriage not regularly solemnized, &c.
4. He that through ignorance, or incapacity for want of water, or a Minister, is not baptized, and yet is solemnly, or notoriously dedicated and devoted to God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, in the same Covenant, though without the outward Sign, and professeth openly the same Religion, is a visible Christian, though not by a compleat and regular visibility; As a Souldier not listed nor taking his Colours, or a Marriage not regularly solemnized, &c.