A26892:8454
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 alas, What talk I of their faults! Search all Church History, and observe whether in all ages Ministers have not been silenced rather for their duties, than their faults; or for not subscribing to some unnecessary opinion or imposition of a prevailing party; or about some wrangling controversies which Church disturbers set afoot! There is many a poor Minister would work in Bridewell, or be tied to shovel the Streets all the rest of the Week, if he might but have liberty to preach the Gospel! And would not such a penalty be sufficient, for a dissent in some unnecessary point? As it is not every fault that a Magistrate is deposed for by the Sovereign, but such as make him unfit for the place, so is it also with the Ministers.
But alas, What talk I of their faults! Search all Church History, and observe whether in all ages Ministers have not been silenced rather for their duties, than their faults; or for not subscribing to some unnecessary opinion or imposition of a prevailing party; or about some wrangling controversies which Church disturbers set afoot! There is many a poor Minister would work in Bridewell, or be tyed to shovell the Streets all the rest of the Week, if he might but have liberty to preach the Gospel! And would not such a penalty be sufficient, for a dissent in some unnecessary point? As it is not every fault that a Magistrate is deposed for by the Soveraign, but such as make him unfit for the place, so is it also with the Ministers.
§. 39. Direct. 18. Malignity and Profaneness must not be gratified or encouraged: It must be considered,1 how the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to his Law, nor can be: 2And that enmity is put between the Woman's and the Serpents seed; and that the whole business of the world, is but the prosecution of the War, between the Armies of Christ and Satan: And that malignity inclineth the ungodly world, to slander and reproach the servants of the Lord; and they are glad of any opportunity to make them odious, or to exasperate Magistrates against them: And that their silencing and fall is the joy of the ungodly: And if there be any Civil differences or sidings, the ungodly rabble will take that side, be it right or wrong, which they think will do most to the downfall of the godly, whom they hate. Therefore besides the merits of the particular cause, a Ruler that regardeth the interest of the Gospel and mens salvation, must have some care that the course which he taketh against godly Ministers and people, when they displease him, be such as doth not strengthen the hands of evil doers, nor harden them, increase them, or make them glad: I do not say that a Ruler must be against what ever the ungodly part is for; or that he must be for that which the major part of godly men are for, (I know this is a deceitful rule.) But yet that which pleaseth the malignant rabble, and displeaseth or hurteth the generality of godly men, is so seldom pleasing to God, that its much to be suspected.