A26892:8633
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.
§. 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, Luk. 16. who would so fain have had a messenger sent from another World, to have warned his brethren, and saved them from that place of torment.
§. 9. Mot. 9. And consider how the cheapness of the means, doth aggravate the sin of your neglect? and shew 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, Luk. 16. who would so fain have had a messenger sent from another World, to have warned his brethren, and saved them from that place of torment.
§. 10. Mot. 10. Your fruitful conference is a needful help to the ministerial work. When the Preacher hath publicly delivered the Word of God to the Assembly, if you would so far second him, as in your daily converse, to set it home on the hearts of those that you have opportunity to discourse with, how great an assistance would it be to his success? Though he must teach them publicly and from house to house, yet is it not possible for him to be so frequent and familiar in daily conference1 with all the ignorant of the place, as those that are still with them may be. You are many and he is but one, and can be but in one place at once. Your business bringeth you into their company, when he cannot be there. Oh Happy is that Minister, who hath such a people, who will daily preach over the matter of his public Sermons, in their private conference with one another? Many hands make quick work. This would most effectually prevail against the powers of darkness, and cast out Satan from multitudes of miserable souls.