A26892:8573
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.
Part 4 › Chapter 14: Directions against soul-murder, and partaking of other mens sins.
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.
Two ways is mens damnation thus promoted: 1. By the ill lives of hypocritical ungodly preachers, who actually bring their own persons into disgrace, and thereby also the persons of others, and consequently their sacred work and function: 2. By wicked Preachers and people, who, through a malignant hatred of those that are abler, and better than themselves, and an envy of their reputation, do labour to make the most zealous and faithful Preachers of the Gospel, to be thought to be the most hypocritical, or erroneous, or factious and schismatical.
Two wayes is mens damnation thus promoted: 1. By the ill lives of hypocritical ungodly preachers, who actually bring their own persons into disgrace, and thereby also the persons of others, and consequently their sacred work and function: 2. By wicked Preachers and people, who, through a malignant hatred of those that are abler, and better than themselves, and an envy of their reputation, do labour to make the most zealous and faithful Preachers of the Gospel, to be thought to be the most hypocritical, or erroneous, or factious and schismatical.
§. 5. 5. The neglect of Ministerial duties is a common cause of sin, and of mens damnation. When they that take the charge of souls are either unable or unwilling to do their office: when they teach them too seldom, or too unskilfully; in an unsuitable manner; not choosing that doctrine which they most need; or not opening it plainly and methodically in a fitness to their capacities: or not applying it with necessary seriousness and urgency to the hearers state: When men preach to the ungodly who are near to damnation, in a formal pace, like a School-boy saying his lesson, or in a drowsy reading tone, as if they came to preach them all asleep, or were afraid of wakening them: When they speak of sin and misery and Christ, of Heaven and Hell, as if by the manner they came to contradict the matter, and to persuade men that there are no such things.
§. 5. 5. The neglect of Ministerial duties is a common cause of sin, and of mens damnation. When they that take the charge of souls are either unable or unwilling to do their office: when they teach them too seldome, or too unskilfully; in an unsuitable manner; not choosing that doctrine which they most need; or not opening it plainly and methodically in a fitness to their capacities: or not applying it with necessary seriousness and urgency to the hearers state: When men preach to the ungodly who are neer to damnation, in a formal pase, like a School-boy saying his lesson, or in a drowsie reading tone, as if they came to preach them all asleep, or were afraid of wakening them: When they speak of sin and misery and Christ, of Heaven and Hell, as if by the manner they came to contradict the matter, and to perswade men that there are no such things.