A26892:7363
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.
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 ⟨p. 890⟩we shall use in the Churches. 6. The Printing of the Bible. 7. The dividing it into Chapters and Verses. 8. The Printing of good Books, to expound and apply the Scripture: Commentaries, Sermons, &c. 9. The ••••ms of School-exercises, disputations, &c. to prepare Students for the Ministry; and what Books of Divinity Tutors shall read to their Pupils, or every Student shall have in his Library? 10. The manner and tune of singing Psalms in the Churches. 11. What version or metre to use, this or that? 12. What form of Catechism, (verbal, written or Printed) to use among many, in the Church or family. 13. Whether to pray in the same words often or in various. 14. Whether to use words of our own composing or invention primarily, or of other mens? and that by direction, persuasion or command. 15. To use a written or Printed form, or neither: To read it on the Book, or speak it by memory? 16. To use Scripture forms only, of prayer, praise, Psalms and Hymns, or those that are of later composure also. 17. To Print the Bible and use it with Marginal Notes, and Contents, or without. 18. To Baptize in a River, Well, Pool or Font. 19. To have Sponsors or Witnesses of the Parents trustiness, and the Child's Covenant, or not. 20. At how many days old, Children shall be Baptized. 21. Whether they shall be Named in Baptism, or before or after. 22. Whether one of the Ministers shall be a Tutor or Teacher to the rest, that are younger. 23. How far the rest shall submit their judgements to one that is eldest and ablest, and be ruled by him. 24. Whether there shall be any Deaconesses in the Church? 25. Whether a Church shall have one Minister, two or more? 26. Who shall be the men? 27. What space of ground shall be the Church bounds, for the cohabitation of the members. 28.
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