A26892:8465
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.
§. 49. Direct. 28. Consider not only whether the thing which you impose be sin in it self, but also what 1it is to him that thinketh it a sin. His own doubting Conscience may make that a sin to him, which is no sin to another. And he that doubteth (whether such or such a meat be lawful) is condemned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin, Rom. 14. 23. And is it like to be damnation to him that doth it against his Conscience? and will you drive on any man towards damnation? Destroy not him with thy meat for whom Christ dyed, Rom. 14. 15. 1 Cor. 8. 11.
- 1Direct. 28.
§. 50. If it be objected, that Then there will be no Government, if every man must be left to his own Conscience; I answer, that the Holy Ghost did not fear such objecters when he laid down this doctrine ⟨p. 77⟩here expressed. 1. It is easy to distinguish between things necessary and things unnecessary. 2. And between great penalties and small: And 1. It followeth not that a Man must be left to his own Conscience in every thing, because he must be so in some things. In things necessary as it is a sin to do them doubtingly, so it may be a greater sin to leave them undone: (As for a man to maintain his family, or defend his King, or hear the Word of God, &c.); He that can say, My Conscience is against it, must not be excused from a necessary duty: And he that can say, My Conscience bids me do it, must not be excused in a sin: But yet the Apostle knew what he said, when he (that was a greater Church-Governor than you) determined the case of mutual forbearance as in▪