A26892:5979
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.
3. But he that is justly suspected not to understand his own profession, but to speak general words, without the sense, may and ought to be examined by him that is to baptize him: And therefore though the Apostles among the Jews who had been bred up among the Oracles of God, did justly presume of so much understanding, as that they baptized men the same day that they professed to believe in Christ; yet when they baptized converted Gentiles, we have reason to think, that they1 first received a particular account of their Converts, that they understood the three essential Articles of the Covenant: 1. Because the Creed is fitted to that use, and hath been ever used thereunto by the Churches, as by tradition from the Apostles practice. 2. Because the Church in all ages, as far as Church History leadeth us upward, hath used catechising before baptizing; yea, and to keep men as Catechumens some time for preparation. 3. Because common experience telleth us, that multitudes can say the Creed, that understand it not.
3. But he that is justly suspected not to understand his own profession, but to speak general words, without the sense, may and ought to be examined by him that is to baptize him: And therefore though the Apostles among the Jews who had been bred up among the Oracles of God, did justly presume of so much understanding, as that they baptized men the same day that they professed to believe in Christ; yet when they baptized converted Gentiles, we have reason to think, that they1 first received a particular account of their Converts, that they understood the three essential Articles of the Covenant: 1. Because the Creed is fitted to that use, and hath been ever used thereunto by the Churches, as by tradition from the Apostles practice. 2. Because the Church in all ages, as far as Church History leadeth us upward, hath used catechising before baptizing; yea, and to keep men as Catechumens some time for preparation. 3. Because common experience telleth us, that multititudes can say the Creed, that understand it not.