A26892:5981
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.
Of this I have largely spoken in my Treatise of Confirmation.
4. It is not Necessary to a mans Baptism and first Church-membership, that he give any testimony of an antecedent godly life: Because it is Repentance and future obedience professed that is his title; and we must not keep men from Covenanting, till we first see whether they will keep the Covenant which they are to make. For Covenanting goeth before Covenant-keeping: And it is any the most impious sinner who Repenteth, that is to be Washed and Justified as soon as he becometh a Believer.
5. Yet if any that Professeth Faith and Repentance, should commit Whoredom, Drunkenness,1 Murder, Blasphemy, or any mortal sin, before he is baptized, we have reason to make a stop of that mans baptism, because he contradicteth his own profession, and giveth us cause to take it for hypocritical, till he give us better evidence that he is penitent indeed.
5. Yet if any that Professeth Faith and Repentance, should commit Whoredome, Drunkenness,1 Murder, Blasphemy, or any mortal sin, before he is baptized, we have reason to make a stop of that mans baptism, because he contradicteth his own profession, and giveth us cause to take it for hypocritical, till he give us better evidence that he is penitent indeed.