A26892:7745
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.
The Hermetical Philosophers have no true method of Philosophy among them; And to make their three or five Principles to be so many Elements, or simple bodies, constituting all compounds, and form up a system of Philosophy on their suppositions, will be but to trifle and not to satisfy judicious minds; especially considering how defective their Philosophy is made by their omissions. Lullius and his followers fit not their Method to the true order of the Matter. Scaliger, Scheggius, Wendeline and Sennertus (especially in his Hypomnemata) were great men, and have many excellent things: But too much of Aristotle's goeth for currant with them. My worthy, Learned and truly pious friend Mr. Sam. Got in his new Book on Gen. 1. hath many excellent notions, and much that is scarce elsewhere to be met with: But the tedious paragraphs, the defect of method, and several unprovable particulars, make it like all humane works imperfect.
The Hermetical Philosophers have no true method of Philosophy among them; And to make their three or five Principles to be so many Elements, or simple bodies, constituting all compounds, and form up a systeme of Philosophy on their suppositions, will be but to trifle and not to satisfie judicious minds; especially considering how defective their Philosophy is made by their omissions. Lullius and his followers fit not their Method to the true order of the Matter. Scaliger, Scheggius, Wendeline and Sennertus (especially in his Hypomnemata) were great men, and have many excellent things: But too much of Aristotles goeth for currant with them. My worthy, Learned and truly pious friend Mr. Sam. Gott in his new Book on Gen. 1. hath many excellent notions, and much that is scarce elsewhere to be met with: But the tedious paragraphs, the defect of method, and several unproveable particulars, make it like all humane works imperfect.
Therefore if I must direct you according to my judgement, I must advise you, 1. To suppose that Philosophers are all still in very great darkness, and there is much confusion, defectiveness, error and division and uncertainty among them. 2. Therefore addict not your selves absolutely to any Sect of them. 3. Let your first studies of them all leave room for the changing of your judgement, and do not too hastily fix on any of their sentiments as sure, till you have heard what others say, and with ripened understandings have deeply and long studied the Things themselves. 4. Choose out so much of the Certainties and Useful parts of Physics as you can reach to, and make them know their places in subserviency to your holy principles and ends; and rather be well content with so much, than to lose too much time in a vain fatigation of your brains for more.