A26892:7362
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. 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.
2. It is also lawful and needful, that our own Invention or our Superiours, 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 Countrey, 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 terrour 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 c•ses. 8. Nor whether the witnesses say truly or falsly who accuse a man. 9. Nor whether the accused be to be taken as guilty of Heresie, scandal or schism, &c.
3. It is also a lawful Invention of man, to find, choose and use, such natural Helps, as are useful to further us in the obedience of Gods Laws, and the practice of his worship, and are not forbidden by him. (Yea in genere they are commanded, and yet never particularly determined of in the Scripture:) As, 1. What will clear a preachers voice, to speak audibly. 2. The advantage of a Pulpit to be above the people. 3. The use of Spectacles to them that need them to read the Scripture. 4. The translating the Scriptures into our native language. 5. Which translation of many