A26892:7198
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.
1. Names may be things indifferent, abused to Idolatry, and yet lawfully used by us. As the name [God, Deus, Lord, Holy, Just, Good, Temple, Altar, Sacrifice, Priest, Heaven, Sun, Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, and a hundred such:] I mean these Letters and Syllables in these languages. That these names are all in themselves indifferent appeareth in that they are neither Naturally necessary, nor by Gods Institution, but arbitrary signs of humane invention and choice: For we may easily and lawfully make new words to signify all the same things that these do. And that they are abused to Idolatry is notoriously known. And that yet they are lawfully used, the practice of all Christians, English and Latin, even the most scrupulous themselves doth judge.
1. Names may be things indifferent, abused to Idolatry, and yet lawfully used by us. As the name [God, Deus, Lord, Holy, Just, Good, Temple, Altar, Sacrifice, Priest, Heaven, Sun, Moon, Iupiter, Saturn, and a hundred such:] I mean these Letters and Syllables in these languages. That these names are all in themselves indifferent appeareth in that they are neither Naturally necessary, nor by Gods Institution, but arbi•rary signs of humane invention and choice: For we may easily and lawfully make new words to signifie all the same things that these do. And that they are abused to Idolatry is notoriously known. And that yet they are lawfully used, the practice of all Christians, English and Latin, even the most scrupulous themselves doth judge.
2. And the use of Temples (these individuals which have been used to Idolatry) is lawful.
3. So also of Bells, Pulpits, Cups, Tables, and Fonts, and other Utensils.