A26892:7152
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.
15. All abuse of Images will not warrant us to separate from the Church which abuseth them: nor is all such abuse, Idolatry. If the Church or our Rulers will against our will place Images inconveniently in Churches, we may lawfully be there, so that they be not Symbols of Idol Worship, or of a Religion or Worship so sinful in the substance, as that God will not accept it; and so be it we make no sinful use of those inconvenient Images our selves. Though mere Temptation and Scandal make them sinful in those that so abuse them, and set them up; yet he that is not the author of that Temptation or Scandal, may not forsake Gods Worship, because that such things are present, nor is not to be interpreted a Consenter to them, while he cometh only about lawful Worship, (and perhaps hath fit opportunity at other times to profess his dissent.)
15. All abuse of Images will not warrant us to separate from the Church which abuseth them: nor is all such abuse, Idolatry. If the Church or our Rulers will against our will place Images inconveniently in Churches, we may lawfully be there, so that they be not Symbols of Idol Worship, or of a Religion or Worship so sinful in the substance, as that God will not accept it; and so be it we make no sinful use of those inconvenient Images our selves. Though meer Temptation and Scandal make them sinful in those that so abuse them, and set them up; yet he that is not the author of that Temptation or Scandal, may not forsake Gods Worship, because that such things are present, nor is not to be interpreted a Consenter to them, while he cometh only about lawful Worship, (and perhaps hath fit opportunity at other times to profess his dissent.)
16. It is lawful to preserve the honest and sober Love to our friends, by keeping their Pictures; or to show our Love by decent Monuments.
16. It is lawful to preserve the honest and sober Love to our friends, by keeping their Pictures; or to shew our Love by decent Monuments.