A26892:7887
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.
2. That it is not my advice that you read over all these or half; For that would but make them a snare for sinning, and waste of time: But a Minister of the Gospel should have more Books by him than he can read over, for particular uses, and to see the Authors judgement occasionally, and to try other mens Citations.
3. That a Minister must neither study the matter without the help of other mens studies by Reading much; nor yet Read much without studying the Thing it self.
4. That though a man must not speak or write before he knoweth what and how, yet thus Exercising the Knowledge that we have doth greatly increase it. And no Minister must be studying, when he should be Preaching, Praying, Catechizing or visiting or instructing his flock.
5. It is but few men that are born with an acumen fit for Writings and Controversies; Those few must read the more to be fit for it: The rest may take up with such Preparations as they have use for, and exercise them, viz. in the Pastoral oversight of the flocks, and propagating plain and necessary truths: And therefore though I am one that have been thought to burden mens understandings with Methods, distinctions, directions and controversies, it is but few that I persuade to use them; and am as much as any for most mens adhering to plain fundamentals, and truths of daily use, and Love and honour those that go no further, and are faithful in this work: so be it they have not the Pride to think that they know more than they do, and to wrangle against that which they understand not, and set not the Church on fire as ancient Ignorance did, by accusing those of Heresy that knew more than themselves, when they got but the Throne or the Major Vote.