A26892:8574
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.
§. 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.
The same mischief followeth the neglect of private personal inspection: When Ministers think that they have done all, when they have said a Sermon, and never make conscience of labouring personally to convince the ungodly, and reclaim offenders, and draw sinners to God, and confirm the weak. And the omission (much more the perversion and abuse) of sacred Discipline, hath the like effects. When the Keys of the Church are used to shut out the good, or not used when they ought, to rebuke or to shut out the impenitent wicked ones; nor to difference between the precious and the vile, it hardeneth multitudes in their ungodliness, and persuadeth them that they are really of the same family