A26892:8631
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 16 › Section 1: Tit. 1. Motives to Christian Conference and Exhortation.
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.
§ 7. Mot. 7. And how precious a thing is an immortal soul, and therefore not to be neglected. Did Christ think souls to be worth his Mediation, by such strange condescension, even to a shameful death? Did he think them worth his coming into flesh, to be their teacher? And will you not think them worth the speaking to?
§. 8. Mot. 8. See also the greatness of your sin, in the negligence of unfaithful Ministers. It is easy to see the odiousness of their sin, who preach not the Gospel, or do no more than by an hours dry and dead discourse, shift off the serious work which they should do; and think they may be excused from all personal oversight and helping of the peoples souls, all the Week after. And why should you not perceive that a dumb private Christian is also to be condemned, as well as a dumb Minister? Is not profitable conference your duty, as well as profitable preaching is his? How many persons condemn themselves, while they speak against unfaithful Pastors? being themselves as unfaithful to Families and Neighbours, as the other are to the flock?
§. 8. Mot. 8. See also the greatness of your sin, in the negligence of unfaithful Ministers. It is easie to see the odiousness of their sin, who preach not the Gospel, or do no more than by an hours dry and dead discourse, shift off the serious work which they should do; and think they may be excused from all personal oversight and helping of the peoples souls, all the Week after. And why should you not perceive that a dumb private Christian is also to be condemned, as well as a dumb Minister? Is not profitable conference your duty, as well as profitable preaching is his? How many persons condemn themselves, while they speak against unfaithful Pastors? being themselves as unfaithful to Families and Neighbours, as the other are to the flock?
§. 9. Mot. 9. And consider how the cheapness of the means, doth aggravate the sin of your neglect? and show much unmercifulness to souls. Words cost you little. Indeed alone, without the company of good works, they are too cheap for God to accept of. But if an Hypocrite may bring so cheap a sacrifice, who is rejected, what doth he deserve that thinketh it too dear? What will that man do for God or for his Neighbours soul, who will not open his mouth to speak for them? He seemeth to have less love than that man in Hell,