A26892:7753
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.
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.
- 1I mention not your reading the Scripture, as supposing it •ust be your constant work.
And when you have gone through the Catechisms, read over three or four of the soundest systems of Divinity. And after that proceed to some larger Theses, and then to the study of the clearest and exactest Methodists; And think not that you well understand Divinity, till 1. You know it as methodized and jointed in a due Scheme, and the several parts of it in their several Schemes, seeing you know not the beauty nor the true sense of things, if you know them not in their proper places, where they stand in their several respects to other points: And 2. Till it be wrought into your very hearts, and digested into a holy nature; For when all is done, it is only a holy and Heavenly life, that will prove you wise, and make you happy and give you solid peace and comfort?
And when you have gone through the Catechisms, read over three or four of the soundest systemes of Divinity. And after that proceed to some larger Theses, and then to the study of the clearest and exactest Methodists; And think not that you well understand Divinity, till 1. You know it as methodized and joynted in a due Scheme, and the several parts of it in their several Schemes, seeing you know not the beauty nor the true sense of things, if you know them not in their proper places, where they stand in their several respects to other points: And 2. Till it be wrought into your very hearts, and digested into a holy nature; For when all is done, it is only a holy and Heavenly life, that will prove you wise, and make you happy and give you solid peace and comfort?