A26892:8575
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.
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 ⟨p. 93⟩of Christ as the Godly are, and have their sins forgiven, because they are partakers of the same Holy Sacraments. (Not knowing the difference between the Church mystical and visible, nor between the judgement of ministers and of Christ himself.)
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 perswadeth them that they are really of the same family ⟨p. 93⟩of Christ as the Godly are, and have their sins forgiven, because they are partakers of the same Holy Sacraments. (Not knowing the difference between the Church mystical and visible, nor between the judgement of ministers and of Christ himself.)
§. 6. 6. Parents neglect of instructing Children, and other parts of holy education, is one of the greatest causes of the perdition of mankind, in all the World: But of this elsewhere.