A26892:7467
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.
Quest. 143. What is the use of various Church Confessions or Articles of Faith?
Answ. I Will pass by the very ill use that is made of them in too many Countries, where unnecessary opinions, or uncertain are put in, and they that can get into favour with the Secular Power, take advantage under pretence, of Orthodoxness and Uniformity, Truth and Peace, to set up their opinions and judgements to be the common rule, for all to bow to, though wiser than themselves: And to silence all Ministers, and scatter and divide the flocks that will not say or swear as they do, that is, that they are wise men, and are in the right.
Answ. I Will pass by the very ill use that is made of them in too many Countreys, where unnecessary opinions, or uncertain are put in, and they that can get into favour with the Secular Power, take advantage under pretence, of Orthodoxness and Uniformity, Truth and Peace, to set up their opinions and judgements to be the common rule, for all to bow to, though wiser than themselv•s: And to silence all Ministers, and scatter and divide the flocks that will not say or swear as they do, that is, that they are wise men, and are in the right.
The true and commendable use of various Church Professions, or Confessions of faith is, 1. To be an Instruction to the more ignorant how to understand the Scriptures in most of the most weighty points. 2. To be an enumeration of those doctrines, against which no Minister shall be allowed to preach, and according to which he is to instruct the people. 3. To be a testimony to all neighbour, or foreign Churches in an heterodox, contentious and suspicious age, how we understand the Scriptures, for the Confuting of scandals and unjust suspicions, and the maintaining Communion in Faith, and Charity, and Doctrine.