A26892:7752
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.
§. 20. Direct. 15. When you come to Divinity, I am not for their way that would have you begin with the Fathers and thence form a body of Divinity to your selves: If every young student must be put on such a task, we may have many Religions quickly, but shall certainly have much ignorance and error. We must not be so blind or unthankful to God as to deny that later times have brought forth abundance of Theological writings, incomparably more methodical, judicious, full, clear, and excellently fitted also by application, to the good of souls, than any that are known to us since the writing of the Sacred Scriptures. Reverence of antiquity hath its proper place and use, but is not to make men fools, non-proficients, or contemners of Gods greater mercies.
§. 20. Direct. 15. When you come to Divinity, I am not for their way that would have you begin with the Fathers and thence form a body of Divinity to your selves: If every young student must be put on such a task, we may have many Religions quickly, but shall certainly have much ignorance and errour. We must not be so blind or unthankful to God as to d•ny that later times have brought forth abundance of Theological writings, incomparably more methodical, judicious, full, clear, and excellently fi•ted also by application, to the good of souls, than any that are known to us since the writing of the Sacred Scriptures. Reverence of antiquity hath its proper place and use, but is not to make men fools, non-proficients, or contemners of Gods greater mercies.
My advice therefore is, that you begin with a conjunction of English Catechisms, and the Confessions1 of all the Churches, and the Practical holy writings of our English Divines: And that you never separate these asunder. These Practical Books do commonly themselves contain the Principles, and do press them in so warm a working manner as is likest to bring them to the heart: And till they are there, they are not received according to their use, but kept as in the porch. Get then six or seven of the most judicious Catechisms and compare them well together, and compare all the Confessions of the Churches, (where you may be sure that they put those which they account the weightiest and surest truths). And with them read daily the most spiritual heart-moving Treatises, of Regeneration, and our Covenant with God in Christ, of Repentance, faith, Love, obedience, hope, and of a Heavenly mind and life; as also of Prayer and other particular duties, and of Temptations and particular sins.