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Richard Baxter
A Christian Directory
Part 3
Question 113
p. 873

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,I. CHRISTIAN ETHICS (or private Duties.)II. CHRISTIAN OECONOMICKS (or Family Duties.)III. CHRISTIAN ECCLESIASTICS (or Church Duties.)IV. CHRISTIAN POLITICS (or Duties to our Rulers and Neighbours.)By RICHARD BAXTER.Mal. 2. 7▪ 8.The Priests lips should keep Knowledge, and they should seek the Law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts. But ye are departed out of the way: Ye have Caused many to stumble at the Law; ye have corrupted the Covenant of Levi—Matth. 13. 52.Every SCRIBE which is instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven, is like unto a man that is an Householder, which bringeth forth out of his Treasure things New and Old.Heb. 5. 13, 14.For every one that useth Milk is unskilful in the Word of Righteousness: for he is a Babe: But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age: Those who by reason of USE, have their senses exercised to discern both Good and Evil.2 Tim. 2. 14, 15, 16.Of these things put them in remembrance; charging them before God, that they STRIVE not about WORDS, to no profit, but to the subverting of the Hearers: Study to show thy self approved UNTO GOD, a Workman that needeth not to be ashamed, RIGHTLY DIVIDING the word of Truth. But shun profane and vain Babblings; for they will increase unto more Ungodliness, and their Word will eat as doth a Canker.2 Pet. 3. 16.In which (Pauls Epistles) are some things hard to be understood: which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures to their own destruction.LONDON, Printed, by Robert White, for Nevill Simmons, at the Sign of the Princes Arms in St. Pauls Church-yard. 1673.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,I. CHRISTIAN ETHICKS (or private Duties.)II. CHRISTIAN OECONOMICKS (or Family Duties.)III. CHRISTIAN ECCLESIASTICKS (or Church Duties.)IV. CHRISTIAN POLITICKS (or Duties to our Rulers and Neighbours.)By RICHARD BAXTER.Mal. 2. 7▪ 8.The Priests lips should keep Knowledge, and they should seek the Law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts. But ye are departed out of the way: Ye have Caused many to stumble at the Law; ye have corrupted the Covenant of Levi—Matth. 13. 52.Every SCRIBE which is instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven, is like unto a man that is an Housholder, which bringeth forth out of his Treasure things New and Old.Heb. 5. 13, 14.For every one that useth Milk is unskilful in the Word of Righteousness: for he is a Babe: But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age: Those who by reason of USE, have their senses exercised to discern both Good and Evil.2 Tim. 2. 14, 15, 16.Of these things put them in remembrance; charging them before God, that they STRIVE not aboutTitle page of A Christian Directory, London, 1673

A26892:7112

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.

Richard Baxter 1615–1691London: printed by Robert White for Nevill Simmons, 1673

[35], 929, [5], 214 p., [1] leaf of plates : port. · 1.2M words · Wing B1219 · ESTC R21847

Title page typeset from the transcription.

Part 3 › Question 113: Quest. 113. What Images, and what use of Images is lawful or unlawful?

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.

[ Earlier:7109–7124 of 9,947

:7109p. 873

Obj. God hath imprinted his Image on the whole Creation; e. g. He is called a consuming fire; Therefore fire may be pictured as his Image.

:7110p. 873

Answ. The same answer serveth as to the former objection. And it is not all the Impressions and vestigia of Gods Power, Wisdom and Goodness, which are called his Image; As the house is not the Image of the builder, or a Clock of a Clockmaker, &c. And if God be metaphorically called fire, as he is called, a Lyon, &c. because of the similitude of some operation or effect, it followeth not that these are his Image; much less that the Image of these is his Image.

:7111p. 873

2. No Image may be made to be a Teacher of lies: As we may not lye by words, so neither by Images. Therefore false stories, or false Images of realities, when made as true, and pretended to be true Images or representations, are unlawful.

2. No Image may be made to be a Teacher of lyes: As we may not lye by words, so neither by Images. Therefore false stories, or false Images of realities, when made as true, and pretended to be true Images or representations, are unlawful.

:7112p. 873

3. Therefore it is unlawful to make an Image of a spirit, pretending it to be a true Image. Because it will be a lye.

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Position

Cited: :7112
On this page: :7109–7124
Section: :7105–7155
Whole work: 9,947 passages

Cite

Richard Baxter, A Christian Directory (London, 1673), pt. 3, q. 113, p. 873. EEBO-TCP A26892.

Or select words in any passage to make an image of them.

The book

Title as printed: 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.
Author: Richard Baxter 1615–1691
Place: London
Printer: Robert White
Bookseller: Nevill Simmons
Year: 1673
Size: [35], 929, [5], 214 p., [1] leaf of plates : port.
Words: 1,175,050
Catalogue: Wing B1219 · ESTC R21847
Text: EEBO-TCP A26892

Passages: 9,947
Sections: 502

The author

Richard Baxter 1615–1691

The Reformers and Puritans in their own words, with every quotation checked against the page.

Texts transcribed from the original printings by the Text Creation Partnership (EEBO-TCP and Evans-TCP) and dedicated to the public domain (CC0).

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WORDS,

to no profit, but to the subverting of the Hearers: Study to shew thy self approved

UNTO GOD,

a Workman that needeth not to be ashamed,

RIGHTLY DIVIDING

the word of Truth. But shun profane and vain Bablings; for they will increase unto more Ungodliness, and their Word will eat as doth a Canker.

2 Pet. 3. 16.In which (Pauls Epistles) are some things hard to be understood: which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures to their own destruction.

LONDON, Printed, by Robert White, for Nevill Simmons, at the Sign of the Princes Arms in St. Pauls Church-yard. 1673.

:7113p. 873

4. It is unlawful so to make, place or use any Image, as is like to do more harm than good.

:7114p. 873

5. Therefore it is unlawful so to make, place, or use them, as that they are like to tempt a man to any sin, unless necessity for some greater good require it. (Of which more anon.)

:7115p. 873

6. Therefore all Images of such Idols or feigned Deities are unlawful, as are like to be any temptation to any to believe in them, or worship them.

:7116p. 873

7. Therefore also all Images of such creatures as others use to give unlawful worship or honour to, are unlawful when they are like to be a temptation to us or others to do the like. As among Papists the Image of the Crucifix, the Virgin Mary, and Angels may not be made, placed or used so as may tempt any to worship them sinfully as they use to do.

:7117p. 874

8. The Image of an over-honoured or falsely honoured person, (though not adored) may not be so made, placed or used, as tendeth to tempt others also to such honour. As of Mahomet, or Apollonius, (as Alexander Severus placed him and others, with Abraham and Christ in his Lararium or Chapel). And many give too much honour by Images to Alexander, Caesar, and such other great thieves and murderers of mankind.

8. The Image of an over-honoured or falsly honoured person, (though not adored) may not be so made, placed or used, as tendeth to tempt others also to such honour. As of Mahomet, or Apollonius, (as Alexander Severus placed him and others, with Abraham and Christ in his Lararium or Chappel). And many give too much honour by Images to Alexander, Caesar, and such other great thieves and murderers of mankind.

:7118p. 874

9. It is unlawful to make lascivious Images of naked persons, and place or use them so, as tendeth to be a temptation to lust or immodesty. A common sin of persons of unclean imaginations.

9. It is unlawful to make lascivious Images of naked persons, and place or use them so, as tendeth to be a temptation to lust or immodesty. A common sin of persons of unclean immaginations.

:7119p. 874

10. It is also unlawful so to represent Plays, pompous honours, splendid clothing or building as tendeth more to tempt the beholders to sinful desires, than to any good.

10. It is also unlawful so to represent Plays, pompous honours, splendid cloathing or building as tendeth more to tempt the beholders to sinful desires, than to any good.

:7120p. 874

11. It is unlawful to place Images in Churches or in secret before our eyes when we are Worshipping God, when it tendeth to corrupt the imagination, or by possessing it, to hinder the spiritual exercise of the mind. Which is the ordinary effect of Images.

:7121p. 874

12. It is unlawful to use Images scandalously, as any of the aforesaid sinners use them, though we do it not with the same intent. That is, so to use them, as is interpretatively or in outward appearance the same with their use: Because by so doing we shall dishonour God as they do, and harden them in sin. Therefore Images in Churches or in Oratories in those Countries where others use them sinfully, or near such Countries, where the same may harden men in their sin, is evil.

12. It is unlawful to use Images scandalously, as any of the aforesaid sinners use them, though we do it not with the same intent. That is, so to use them, as is interpretatively or in outward appearance the same with their use: Because by so doing we shall dishonour God as they do, and harden them in sin. Therefore Images in Churches or in Oratories in those Countreys where others use them sinfully, or neer such Countreys, where the same may harden men in their sin, is evil.

:7122p. 874

13. It is unlawful to make Talismans or shapes, upon false suppositions that the very shape naturally disposeth the matter to receive such influences of the Stars, by which it shall preserve men from plagues, fire, wild-beasts, serpents, diseases, or shall otherwise work wonders; for which Gaffarel vainly pleadeth at large: such as they call naturally Magical and charming shapes.

:7123p. 874

14. Much more unlawful is it purposely to make shapes to be Symbols or Instruments by which the Devil shall operate, whether it be for good or evil; It being unlawful so far to use him.

:7124p. 874

15. So is it to make such shapes on conceit that God, or good Angels will operate in or by them; As some use the Cross or other Images to defend them from Devils, to cure the tooth-ache or other diseases, or such like use: when God hath neither appointed any such means to be used, for such ends, nor promised any such blessing or operation by them.

Puritans

England

Pastor at Kidderminster and prolific nonconformist author.

Transcription key

•: an illegible letter
〈…〉: illegible words
〈non-Latin alphabet〉: Greek or Hebrew the transcribers did not key
▪: illegible punctuation
⟨p. 12⟩: a page break in the printed book