A26892:8471
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.
§. 55. Direct. 33. Time of learning and overcoming their mistakes, must be allowed to those that are 1mis-informed. We must not turn those of the lower forms out of Christs School, because they learn not as much as those of the higher forms in a few weeks or years. The Holy Ghost teacheth those who for the time might have been Teachers of others, and yet had need to be taught the first Principles, Heb. 5. 11, 12. He doth not turn them out of the Church for their non-proficiency. And where there is ignorance, there will be error.
§. 55. Direct. 33. Time of learning and overcoming their mistakes, must be allowed to those that are 1mis-informed. We must not turn those of the lower forms out of Christs School, because they learn not as much as those of the higher forms in a few weeks or years. The Holy Ghost teacheth those who for the time might have been Teachers of others, and yet had need to be taught the first Principles, Heb. 5. 11, 12. He doth not turn them out of the Church for their non-proficiency. And where there is ignorance, there will be errour.
- 1Direct. 33.
§. 56. Direct. 34. Some inconveniences must be expected and tolerated, and no perfect Order or Concord 1expected here on earth. It is not good reasoning to say, If we suffer these men, they will cause this or that disorder or inconvenience: But you must also consider whither you must drive it, if you suffer them not; and what will be the consequents: He that will follow his Conscience to a prison will likely follow it to death. And if nothing but death or prison or banishment can restrain them from what they take to be their duty, it must be considered how many must be so used; and whether (if they were truly faulty) they deserve so much: and if they do, yet whether the evils of the Toleration or of the Punishment are like to be the greater. Peace and Concord will never be perfect, till Knowledge and Holiness be perfect.