A26892:7613
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 certain that God will make no new Scripture or inspired word as an infallible universal Rule for the exposition of the word already written. For 1. This were an addition which he hath disclaimed, and 2. It would imply such an insufficiency in the Gospel to its ends (as being not intelligible) as is contrary to its asserted perfection, and 3. It would be contrary to that established way for the understanding of the Scripture, which God hath already settled and appointed for us till the end.
2. It is certain that God will make no new Scripture or inspired word as an infallible universal Rule for the exposition of the word already written. For 1. This were an addition which he hath disclaimed, and 2. It would imply such an insufficiency in the Gospel to its ends (as being not intelligible) as is contrary to its asserted perfection, and 3. It would be contrary to that established way for the understanding of the Scripture, which God hath already setled and appointed for us till the end.
3. It is certain that God will give all his servants in their several measures, the help and illumination1 of his spirit, for the understanding and applying of the Gospel.
4. It is possible that God may make new Revelations to particular persons about their particular duties, events or matters of fact, in subordination to the Scripture, either by inspiration, vision, or apparition or voice. For he hath not told us that he never will do such a thing. As to tell them what shall befall them, or others; or to say [Go to such a place, or dwell in such a place, or do such a thing] which is not contrary to the Scripture, nor co-ordinate, but only a subordinate determination of some undetermined case, or the circumstantiating of an action.