A26892:6798
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. When Ministers by faction, passion or corrupt interests, are apt to put these•ices into their prayers, to the injury of others, and of the Cause and Church of God, free praying cherisheth this, or giveth it opportunity, which set forms do restrain.
4. Concordant set forms do serve for the exactest Concord in the Churches, that all at once may speak the same things.
5. They are needful to some weak Ministers that cannot do so well without them.
6. They somewhat prevent the laying of the reputation of Religious Worship upon the Ministers abilities: when in free praying, the honour and comfort varieth with the various degrees of Pastoral abilities: In one place it is excellently well done, in another but drily, and coldly, and meanly: In another erroneously, unedifyingly; if not dishonourably, tending to the contempt of holy things: Whereas in the way of set Liturgies, though the ablest (at that time) doth no better, yet the weakest doth, (for words) as well, and all alike.