A26892:7772
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.
7. Most of the Bishops and Councils that cried down Common Learning, had little of it themselves, and therefore knew not how to judge of it: no more than good men now that want it.
7. Most of the Bishops and Councils that cryed down Common Learning, had little of it themselves, and therefore knew not how to judge of it: no more than good men now that want it.
8. They lived among Heathens that gloried so in their own Learning, as to oppose it to the Word of God, (as may be seen in Julian, and Porphyry, and Celsus): Therefore Christians ⟨p. 922⟩opposed it, and contemned it; and were afraid while it was set in competition with the Scriptures, lest it should draw men to Infidelity, if overvalued.
8. They lived among Heathens that gloried so in their own Learning, as to oppose it to the Word of God, (as may be seen in Iulian, and Porphyry, and Celsus): Therefore Christians ⟨p. 922⟩opposed it, and contemned it; and were afraid while it was set in competition with the Scriptures, lest it should draw men to Infidelity, if overvalued.
9. And finally, the truth is, that the sacred Scriptures are now too much undervalued, and Philosophy much overvalued by many both as to Evidence and Usefulness: And a few plain certain truths which all our Catechisms contain, well pressed and practised, would make a better Church and Christians, than is now to be found among us all. And I am one that after all that I have written, do heartily wish that this were the ordinary state of our Churches. But yet by Accident much more is needful, as is proved: 1. For the uller understanding of these principles: 2. For the defending of them (especially by those that are called to that work): 3. To keep a Minister from that Contempt which may else frustrate his labours: 4. And to be ornamental and subservient to the substantial Truths.