A26892:7185
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 yet though no man may ever use such symbols of Idolatry formaliter, qua tales, as such; yet materially he may use them in some cases.
As 1. When an Idolater will take an Ordinance of God, and an appointed duty, and turn it into a symbol of his Idolatry: (As in the foregoing instance of the Mahometans.) We may not therefore forsake that duty; but we must do it in such a manner, as may sufficiently disclaim the Idolaters use of it. As if any Idolaters will m••••e a symbol of some Scripture Texts, or of the Lords Day, or of the Sacramental Bread and Wine, &c. we must not therefore disuse them.
2. When a thing Indifferent is made an Idolatrous symbol or badge, though I must not use it as Idolaters do, yet if any act of Divine Providence make it become Necessary as a Moral duty, I may be obliged to use it, disclaiming the Idolaters manner and end: And then it will be known that I use it not as their symbol. As if a man by famine or a swoon, were dying in an Idols Temple, I might give him meat or drink there to save his life, though such as was a badge of their Idolatry, while I disclaim their ends and use: The reason is, 1. Because at such a time, it is a natural duty, and therefore may not be omitted for fear of scandal, or seeming sin, which at that time is no sin. 2. Because Christ hath taught us in the instance of himself and his disciples, that Positive Commands give place to natural, caeteris paribus. And that the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for1 the Sabbath: And that we must learn what this meaneth, I will have mercy and not sacrifice. And if we must break the Rest of the Sabbath for the life, yea, the feeding of an Ox or Ass, much more of a man: And the Positives of the second Commandment must be regulated as the Positives of the fourth. 3. And the scandal in such a case may be avoided, by declaring that I do disclaim their use and ends.