A26892:7222
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.
Answ. IT is good to be as exact in order and decency as we can: But they that would not have other mens Ceremonies brought in on that pretence, should not bring in their own made doctrines.
1. It is certain that all the Assembly come thither, not only to hear a prayer, but to pray as well as the Minister: And therefore the practice of all Churches in the world (as is seen in all the Liturgies) is for the Minister to speak in the plural number, and usually to pray in the Churches name. And so he is both their Guide and mouth in prayer. Therefore even when he prayeth for himself, it is usually fittest (or very fit) for him rather to say, [We beseech thee give the speaker thy assistance, &c.] than [I beseech thee].
2. And even subjectively it is not inconvenient to speak of himself in the third person [Give him,] or [Give the speaker thy help,] instead of [Give me].
3. But they that will place a necessity in either of these, and make the contrary a sin, must have more knowledge than I have to be able to prove it.