Title page, A Christian Directory by Richard Baxter (1673) | AskReformation

Skip to content

:14img 2

3. But there is a great disproportion between the several parts of the Book. 1. The first Part is largest, because I thought that the Heart must be kept with greatest diligence, and that if the Tree be good the fruit will be good; and I remember Pauls counsel, 1 Tim. 4. 16. Take heed to thy self and unto thy Doctrine: Continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thy self and them that hear thee. Nothing is well done by him that beginneth not at home: As the man is, so is his strength, and work. 2. The two first Chapters are too course and tedious for those of the higher form, (who may pass them over). But the rest must be spoken to; To whom that is unprofitable which is most suitable and pleasant to more exercised and accurate wits. The Grand. Directions are but the explication of the essentials of Christianity, or of the Baptismal Covenant, even of our Relation-duties to God the Father, Son (in several ⟨image 3⟩parts of his Relation) and of the Holy Ghost. The doctrine of Temptations is handled with brevity, because they are so numerous; lest a due amplification should have swelled the Book too much; (when a small part of their number maketh up so much of Mr. John Downame's great and excellent Treatise called The Christian Welfare.) The great radical sins are handled more largely than seemeth proportionable to the rest, because all die when they are dead. And I am large about Redeeming Time, because therein the sum of a holy obedient life is included.

3. But there is a great disproportion between the several parts of the Book. 1. The first Part is largest, because I thought that the Heart must be kept with greatest diligence, and that if the Tree be good the fruit will be good; and I remember Pauls counsel, 1 Tim. 4. 16. Take heed to thy self and unto thy Doctrine: Continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thy self and them that hear thee. Nothing is well done by him that beginneth not at home: As the man is, so is his strength, and work. 2. The two first Chapters are too course and tedious for those of the higher form, (who may pass them over). But the rest must be spoken to; To whom that is unprofitable which is most suitable and pleasant to more exercised and accurate wits. The Grand. Directions are but the explication of the essentials of Christianity, or of the Baptismal Covenant, even of our Relation-duties to God the Father, Son (in several ⟨image 3⟩parts of his Relation) and of the Holy Ghost. The doctrine of Temptations is handled with brevity, because they are so numerous; lest a due amplification should have swelled the Book too much; (when a small part of their number maketh up so much of Mr. Iohn Downame's great and excellent Treatise called The Christian Welfare.) The great radical sins are handled more largely than seemeth proportionable to the rest, because all die when they are dead. And I am large about Redeeming Time, because therein the sum of a holy obedient life is included.

:17img 3

6. And I must do my self the right as to notify to the Reader, that this Treatise was written when I was (for not-subscribing, Declaring, &c.) forbidden by the Law to Preach, and when I had been long separated far from my Library and from all Books, saving an inconsiderable parcel which wandered with me, where I went: By which means this Book hath two defects: 1. It hath no Cases of Conscience but what my bare memory brought to hand: And Cases are so innumerable, that it is far harder, methinks, to remember them, than to answer them: whereby it came to pass that some of the Ecclesiastical Cases, are put out of their proper place, because I could not seasonably remember them. For I had no one Casuist but Amesius with me. But (after about twelve years separation) having received my Library, I find that the very sight of Sayrus, Fragoso, Roderiquez, T•l•t, &c. might have helped my memory to a greater number: But perhaps these will be enough for those that I intend them for. 2. And by the same cause the Margin is unfurnished of such citations as are accounted an Ornament, and in some cases are very useful. The scraps inserted out of my few trivial Books at hand being so mean, as that I am well content (except about Monarchy Par. 4.) that the Reader pass them by as not worthy of his notice.

6. And I must do my self the right as to notifie to the Reader, that this Treatise was written when I was (for not-subscribing, Declaring, &c.) forbidden by the Law to Preach, and when I had been long separated far from my Library and from all Books, saving an inconsiderable parcel which wandred with me, where I went: By which means this Book hath two defects: 1. It hath no Cases of Conscience but what my bare memory brought to hand: And Cases are so innumerable, that it is far harder, methinks, to remember them, than to answer them: whereby it came to pass that some of the Ecclesiastical Cases, are put out of their proper place, because I could not seasonably remember them. For I had no one Casuist but Amesius with me. But (after about twelve years separation) having received my Library, I find that the very sight of Sayrus, Fragoso, Roderiquez, T•l•t, &c. might have helpt my memory to a greater number: But perhaps these will be enough for those that I intend them for. 2. And by the same cause the Margin is unfurnished of such citations as are accounted an Ornament, and in some cases are very useful. The scraps inserted out of my few trivial Books at hand being so mean, as that I am well content (except about Monarchy Par. 4.) that the Reader pass them by as not worthy of his notice.