A26892:7149
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.
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.
14. As it is lawful to use arbitrary Professing signs even about Holy things, which signify no more than words, and have by nature or custom an aptitude to such a use; while it is extended no farther, than to open our own minds; so it may be lawful to use such a characteristical or hieroglyphical image to that end, when it hath the same aptitude, but not otherwise. As a circular figure or ring being a hieroglyphic of perpetuity, and so of constancy, is used as a significant profession of constancy in Marriage; And so the receiving of each others picture, might be used. And so in Covenanting, or taking an Oath, the professing sign is left to the custom of the Country; whether we signify our consent by gesture, words, action, writing. And as it is lawful to make an Image on a seal which hath a sacred signification, (as a flaming heart on an Altar, a Bible, a Praying Saint, &c.) as well as to write a Religious Motto on a seal; so is it lawful to put this seal to a subscribed Covenant with1 God and his Church, or our King and Country, when we have a Lawful call to seal such a Covenant. But if Law or Custom would make such a seal, to be the common public badge or symbol of the Christian Religion, I think it would become unlawful.
14. As it is lawful to use arbitrary Professing signes even about Holy things, which signifie no more than words, and have by nature or custome an aptitude to such a use; while it is extended no farther, than to open our own minds; so it may be lawful to use such a characteristical or hieroglyphical image to that end, when it hath the same aptitude, but not otherwise. As a circular figure or ring being a hieroglyphick of perpetuity, and so of constancy, is used as a significant profession of constancy in Marriage; And so the receiving of each others picture, might be used. And so in Covenanting, or taking an Oath, the professing sign is left to the custome of the Countrey; whether we signifie our consent by gesture, words, action, writing. And as it is lawful to make an Image on a seal which hath a sacred signification, (as a flaming heart on an Altar, a Bible, a Praying Saint, &c.) as well as to write a Religious Motto on a seal; so is it lawful to put this seal to a subscribed Covenant with1 God and his Church, or our King and Countrey, when we have a Lawful call to seal such a Covenant. But if Law or Custome would make such a seal, to be the common publick badge or symbol of the Christian Religion, I think it would become unlawful.