A26892:7361
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.
Instances are many. 1. All such modes of a duty as are necessary in genere, or one way or other to be determined of, but left to humane prudence as to particulars. As 1. Whether I shall (this Week or Month) publish the Gospel by Speaking, or by Writing, or by Printing. 2. Whether I shall use this method or that, or another method in this Sermon. 3. Whether I shall use these phrases and words, or other words. 4. Whether I shall use Notes for my memory or not? And whether large ones or short ones? 5. Whether I shall be an hour or two in preaching. 6. Whether I shall preach with a loud voice or a low. 7. Whether I shall at this time more endeavour explication or application, comfort or terror, reprehension or direction, &c. All which are to be varied by mans lawful invention according to Gods general Rules.
Instances are many. 1. All such modes of a duty as are necessary in genere, or one way or other to be determined of, but left to humane prudence as to particulars. As 1. Whether I shall (this Week or Month) publish the Gospel by Speaking, or by Writing, or by Printing. 2. Whether I shall use this method or that, or another method in this Sermon. 3. Whether I shall use these phrases and words, or other words. 4. Whether I shall use Notes for my memory or not? And whether large ones or short ones? 5. Whether I shall be an hour or two in preaching. 6. Whether I shall preach with a loud voice or a low. 7. Whether I shall at this time more endeavour explication or application, comfort or terror, reprehension or direction, &c. All which are to be varyed by mans lawful invention according to Gods general Rules.
2. It is also lawful and needful, that our own Invention or our Superiors, according to Gods general Laws, do determine of the particular subjects of our office; which Scripture doth not particularly determine of, viz. 1. Scripture telleth not Ministers what Country, Parish or Church they shall bestow their Labours in. 2. Nor to how many they shall be a Pastor. 3. Nor what Text or Subject they shall Preach on. 4. Nor what singular persons they shall apply comfort, counsel or terror to, this or that. 5. Nor whom they shall admit to the Sacrament (but by the General Rule or description). 6. Nor whom they shall openly rebuke or excommunicate. 7. Nor whom they shall absolve. It telleth them not who the persons be to whom the Scripture Character doth belong, in any of these cases. 8. Nor whether the witnesses say truly or falsely who accuse a man. 9. Nor whether the accused be to be taken as guilty of Heresy, scandal or schism, &c.