A26892:6833
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. But you may for the time that the Churches benefit requireth it, both forbear to preach them, and promise to forbear, both for the Churches peace, and for that Liberty to preach the Gospel, which you cannot otherwise obtain. The Reasons are:
1. Because it is not a duty to preach them at that time: For no duty is a duty at all times: Affirmative Precepts bind not ad semper, because man cannot always do them.
1. Because it is not a duty to preach them at that time: For no duty is a duty at all times: Affirmative Precepts bind not ad semper, because man cannot alwayes do them.
2. It is a sin to prefer a lesser truth or good before a Greater. You cannot speak all things at once. When you have all done, some, yea, a thousand must be by you omitted. Therefore the less should be omitted rather than the greater.
3. You have your Office to the Churches Edification. Preaching is made for man, and not man for preaching. But the Churches Edification requireth you rather to preach the Gospel, than that opinion or point which you are required to forbear. Without this the hearers may be saved, but not without the Gospel.