A26892:7728
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. 173. What particular Directions for Order of Studies, and Books should be observed by young Students?
§. 1. Because disorder is so great a disadvantage, to young Students, and because many have importuned me to name them some few of the best Books, because they have no Time to read, nor money to buy many, I shall here answer these two demands.
§. 1. BEcause disorder is so great a disadvantage, to young Students, and because many have importuned me to name them some few of the best Books, because they have no Time to read, nor money to buy many, I shall here answer these two demands.
§. 2. I. The Order of their studies is such as respecteth their whole lives, or such as respecteth every Day. It is the first which I now intend.
§. 3. Direct. 1. The knowledge of so much of Theology as is necessary to your own Duty and Salvation, is the first thing which you are to learn (when you have learnt to speak). Children have souls to save; and their Reason is given them to use for their Creators service and their salvation. 1. They can never begin to Learn that too soon which they were made and Redeemed to Learn, and which their whole lives must be employed in practising. And that which absolute Necessity requireth, and without which there is no salvation. 3. And that which must tell a man the only ultimate end which he must intend, in all the moral actions of his life. For the right Intention of our end is antecedent to all right use of means; And till this be done, a man hath not well begun to Live, nor to use his Reason; nor hath he any other work for his Reason, till this be first done. He liveth but in a continual sin, that doth not make God and the public good and his salvation his end. Therefore they that would not have Children begin with Divinity, would have them serve the Devil and the Flesh. God must be our First and Last and All.