A26892:7905
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.
Two things I must apologize for in this Part: 1. That it's maimed by defect of those Directions to Princes, Nobles, Parliament-men, and other Magistrates, on whose duty the happiness of Kingdoms, Churches, and the World dependeth. To which I answer, that those must teach them whom they will hear: while my Reason and experience forbid me as an unacceptable person to speak to them without a special invitation, I can bear the Censures of Strangers who knew not them or me: I am not so proud as to expect that men so much above me should stoop to read any Directions of mine; much less to think me fit to teach them. Every one may reprove a poor servant or a beggar: (It's part of their privilege). But Great men must not be so much as admonished, by any but themselves, and such as they will hear. At least nothing is a duty, which a man hath reason to think, is like to do much more harm than good. And my own judgement is much against pragmatical presumptuous Preachers, who are over-forward to meddle with their Governors or their affairs, and think that God sendeth them to reprove persons and things that are strange to them and above them, and vent their distastes upon uncertain reports, or without a Call.
Two things I must apologize for in this Part: 1. That it's maimed by defect of those Directions to Princes, Nobles, Parliament-men, and other Magistrates, on whose duty the happiness of Kingdoms, Churches, and the World dependeth. To which I answer, that those must teach them whom they will hear: while my Reason and experience forbid me as an unacceptable person to speak to them without a special invitation, I can bear the Censures of Strangers who knew not them or me: I am not so proud as to expect that men so much above me should stoop to read any Directions of mine; much less to think me fit to teach them. Every one may reprove a poor servant or a beggar: (It's part of their priviledge). But Great men must not be so much as admonished, by any but themselves, and such as they will hear. At least nothing is a duty, which a man hath reason to think, is like to do much more harm than good. And my own judgement is much against pragmatical presumptuous Preachers, who are over-forward to meddle with their Governours or their affairs, and think that God sendeth them to reprove persons and things that are strange to them and above them, and vent their distastes upon uncertain reports, or without a Call.