A26892:8216
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.
Part 4 › Chapter 6: Directions to School-masters, about their duty for Childrens souls.
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.
§. 4. Direct. 4. Seeing it is Divinity that teacheth them the Beginning, and the End of all their other 1studies, let it never be omitted nor lightly slubbered over, and thrust into a corner: but give it the precedency, and teach it them with greater care and diligence, than any other part of learning: Especially teach them the Catechism and the Holy Scriptures. If you think that this is no part of your work, few wise men will choose such Teachers for their Children. If you say as some Sectaries, that Children should not be taught to speak holy words, till they ••e more capable to understand the sense, because it is hypocrisy, or taking the Name of God in vain; I have answered this before; and showed that words being the signs, must be learned in order to the understanding of the sense, or thing that is ⟨p. 45⟩signified: and that this is not to use such words in vain, how holy soever, but to the proper end for which they are appointed. Both in Divine and humane learning, the Memories of Children must first be furnished in order to the furnishing of their understandings afterwards. And this is a chief point of the Masters skill, that Time be not lost, nor Labour frustrated. For the memories of Children are as capacious as mens of riper age; and therefore they should be stored early, with that which will be useful to them afterwards: but till they come to some maturity of age, their judgments are not ripe for information, about any high or difficult points. Therefore teach them betimes the words of Catechisms, and some Chapters of the Bible; and teach them the meaning by degrees as they are capable. And make them perceive that you take this for the best of all their learning.
§. 4. Direct. 4. Seeing it is Divinity that teacheth them the Beginning, and the End of all their other 1studies, let it never be omitted nor lightly slubbered over, and thrust into a corner: but give it the precedency, and teach it them with greater care and diligence, than any other part of learning: Especially teach them the Catechism and the Holy Scriptures. If you think that this is no part of your work, few wise men will choose such Teachers for their Children. If you say as some Sectaries, that Children should not be taught to speak holy words, till they e more capable to understand the sense, because it is hypocrisie, or taking the Name of God in vain; I have answered this before; and shewed that words being the signes, must be learned in order to the understanding of the sense, or thing that is