A26892:8451
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.
But for the rest whose diseases need a skilful diligent Physician; whose ignorance and impenitence extremely needeth a skilful diligent lively Teacher, he that depriveth them of such, doth take the probable course to damn them! And it is the same course which the Devil himself would take; and he partly knoweth what tendeth to mens damnation! He that knoweth what a case the Heathen, Infidel, Mahometan world is in for want of Teachers; and what a case the Greek Church, the Muscovites, the Abbassines, Syrians, Armenians, Papists, and most of the Christians of the world are in, for want of able, skilful, godly Pastors, will lay his hand on his mouth, and meddle with such reasonings as these no more.
But for the rest whose diseases need a skilful diligent Physicion; whose ignorance and impenitence extreamly needeth a skilful diligent lively Teacher, he that depriveth them of such, doth take the probable course to damn them! And it is the same course which the Devil himself would take; and he partly knoweth what tendeth to mens damnation! He that knoweth what a case the Heathen, Infidel, Mahometan world is in for want of Teachers; and what a case the Greek Church, the Moscovites, the Abbassines, Syrians, Armenians, Papists, and most of the Christians of the world are in, for want of able, skilful, godly Pastors, will lay his hand on his mouth, and meddle with such reasonings as these no more.
Object. But by this devise you will have the Clergy lawless, or as the Papists, exempt them from the Magistrates punishments, for fear of depriving the people of instruction.
Object. But by this devise you will have the Clergie lawless, or as the Papists, exempt them from the Magistrates punishments, for fear of depriving the people of instruction.
Answ. No such matter: It is the contrary that I am advising: I would have them punished more severely than other men, as their sins are more aggravated than other mens. Yea, and I would have them silenced when it is meet; and that is in two cases: viz. 1. If they commit such capital crimes, as God and man would have punished with death, its fit they dye, (and then they are silenced): For in this case it is supposed that their lives (by their impunity) are like to do more hurt than good. 2. If their Heresy, insufficiency, scandal, or any fault what ever, do make them more hurtful than profitable to the Church, it is fit they be cast out: If their Ministry be not like to do more good, than their faults to do harm, let them be silenced! But if it be otherwise, then let them be punished in their bodies or purses, rather than the peoples souls should suffer. The Laws have variety of penalties for other men! Will none of those suffice for Ministers?