A26892:8444
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.
1. Such points of faith only as constitute Christianity, and which every upright Christian holdeth; and therefore only such as are contained in our Baptismal Covenant or Profession, which maketh us Christians: And not those other which only some stronger Christians believe or understand: Because the weak are not to be cast out of the family of Christ. 2. Such points as the Primitive Churches did agree in, and not innovations, which they never1 practised or agreed in: For they are our pattern, and were better than we: and no more can be necessary to our Concord and Communion, than was to theirs. 3. Such points as all the Church hath sometime or other at least agreed in: For what reason can we have to think that the Churches should now agree in that, which they never hitherto agreed in. 4. Such points as all the true Christians in the world are now agreed in: For otherwise we shall exclude some true Christians from our Christian Communion. 5. No points of Worship, much less of Modes and Circumstances, which are not necessary, and more necessary to the Churches good, than is the Communion of all those persons, who by dissenting are like to be separated or cast out: and whose omission would not do more hurt, than this separation and division is like to do. 6. Especially no such things must be made necessary to communion, as the most conscientious are ordinarily fearful of and averse to, and may be forborne without any great detriment to godliness.
1. Such points of faith only as constitute Christianity, and which every upright Christian holdeth; and therefore only such as are contained in our Baptismal Covenant or Profession, which maketh us Christians: And not those other which only some stronger Christians believe or understand: Because the weak are not to be cast out of the family of Christ. 2. Such points as the Primitive Churches did agree in, and not innovations, which they never1 practised or agreed in: For they are our pattern, and were better than we: and no more can be necessary to our Concord and Communion, than was to theirs. 3. Such points as all the Church hath sometime or other at least agreed in: For what reason can we have to think that the Churches should now agree in that, which they never hitherto agreed in. 4. Such points as all the true Christians in the world are now agreed in: For otherwise we shall exclude some true Christians from our Christian Communion. 5. No points of Worship, much less of Modes and Circumstances, which are not necessary, and more necessary to the Churches good, than is the Communion of all those persons, who by dissenting are like to be separated or cast out: and whose omission would not do more hurt, than this separation and division is like to do. 6. Especially no such things must be made necessary to communion, as the most conscientious are ordinarily fearful of and averse to, and may be forborn without any great detriment to godliness.