A26892:8637
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.
§. 13. Mot. 13. And it should somewhat encourage you to it, that it is an unquestionable duty, when many other are brought into Controversy. Ministers Preach under the regulation of humane Laws and Canons, and it is a great Controversy with many, whether they should Preach when they are silenced or forbidden by their superiors: But whether you may speak for God and for mens salvation in your familiar conference, no man questioneth, nor doth any Law forbid it.
§. 13. Mot. 13. And it should somewhat encourage you to it, that it is an unquestionable duty, when many other are brought into Controversie. Ministers Preach under the regulation of humane Laws and Canons, and it is a great Controversie with many, whether they should Preach when they are silenced or forbidden by their superiours: But whether you may speak for God and for mens salvation in your familiar conference, no man questioneth, nor doth any Law forbid it.
§. 14. Mot. 14. Hath not the fruitful conference of others in the days of your ignorance done good to you? Have you not been instructed, convinced, persuaded and comforted by it? What had become of you, if all men had let you alone, and past you by, and left you to your selves? And doth not Justice require that you do good to others, as others have done to you; in the use of such a tried means?
§. 14. Mot. 14. Hath not the fruitful conference of others in the dayes of your ignorance done good to you? Have you not been instructed, convinced, perswaded and comforted by it? What had become of you, if all men had let you alone, and past you by, and left you to your selves? And doth not Justice require that you do good to others, as others have done to you; in the use of such a tryed means?
§. 15. Mot. 15. Consider how forward the Devils servants are to plead his cause! How readily and fiercely will an ignorant drunken sot pour out his reproaches and scorns against Religion? and speak evil of the things which he never understood? How zealously will a Papist or Heretic or Schismatic promote the interest of his sect, and labour to proselyte others to his party? And shall we be less zealous and serviceable for Christ, than the Devils servants are for him? and do less to save souls, than they will do to damn them?