A26892:6637
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. It is not any one Method or Sermon-fashion which is proper to a Minister and forbidden to a Lay man: That Method which is most meet to the Matter and hearers, may be used by one as well as by the other.
3. It is not the mere publicness of the Teaching, which must tell us what is unlawful for a Lay man. For Writing and Printing are the most public ways of Teaching; And these no man taketh to be forbidden the Laity. Scaliger, Causabon, Grotius, Erasmus, Constantine, King James, the Lord Bacon, and abundance more Lay men have done the Church great service by their Writings. And Judges on the Bench speak oft Theologically to many.
3. It is not the meer publickness of the Teaching, which must tell us what is unlawful for a Lay man. For Writing and Printing are the most publick wayes of Teaching; And these no man taketh to be forbidden the Laity. Scaliger, Causabon, Grotius, Erasmus, Constantine, King Iames, the Lord Bacon, and abundance more Lay men have done the Church great service by their Writings. And Judges on the Bench speak oft Theologically to many.
But that which is proper to the Ministers or Pastors of the Church is, 1. To make a stated office of it, and to be separated, set a part, devoted, or consecrated and appropriated to this sacred work; and not to do it occasionally only, or sometimes, or on the by; but as their Calling and the Employment of their lives.