A26892:6754
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.
Quest. 73. Are public Forms of mans Devising or Composing lawful?
Quest. 73. Are publick Forms of mans Devising or Composing lawful?
Answ. Yes: 1. The Ministers afore mentioned throughout the Christian world, do devise and compose the form of their own Sermons and Prayers: And that maketh them not unlawful. 2. And who ever speaketh ex tempore, his words are a form when he speaketh them, though not a premeditated form. 3. And when Scripture so vehemently commandeth us to search, meditate, study the Scriptures, and take heed to our selves and unto doctrine, &c. What a person is that who will condemn prayer or preaching, only because we before hand studied or considered what to say? As if God abhorred diligence and the use of reason. Men are not tied (now) from thinking before hand what to say to the Judge at the Bar for estate or life, or what to say on an Embassage, or to a King, or any man that we converse with? And where are we forbidden to forethink what to say to God? Must the people take heed how they hear, and look to their foot when they go into the house of God? And must not we take heed what we speak, and look to our words that they be fit and decent?
Answ. YEs: 1. The Ministers afore mentioned throughout the Christian world, do devise and compose the form of their own Sermons and Prayers: And that maketh them not unlawful. 2. And who ever speaketh ex tempore, his words are a form when he speaketh them, though not a premeditated form. 3. And when Scripture so vehemently commandeth us to search, meditate, study the Scriptures, and take heed to our selves and unto doctrine, &c. What a person is that who will condemn prayer or preaching, only because we before hand studied or considered what to say? As if God abhorred diligence and the use of reason. Men are not tyed (now) from thinking before hand what to say to the Judge at the Bar for estate or life, or what to say on an Embassage, or to a King, or any man that we converse with? And where are we forbidden to forethink what to say to God? Must the people take heed how they hear, and look to their foot when they go into the house of God? And must not we take heed what we speak, and look to our words that they be fit and decent?