A26892:8653
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 2: Tit. 2. Directions for Christian Conference and Edifying speech.
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. Direct. 7. Suit all your discourse to the quality of your Auditors: That which is best in it self,1 may not be best for every hearer. You must vary both your subject and manner of discourse, 1. According to the variety of mens knowledge: The wise and the foolish must not be spoken to alike. 2. According to the variety of their moral qualities: One may be very pious, and another weak in grace, and another only teachable and tractable, and another wicked and impenitent, and another obstinate and scornful: These must not be talked to with the same manner of discourse. 3. According to the variety of particular sins which they are inclined to: which in some is pride, in some sensuality, lust or idleness, in some covetousness, and in some an erroneous zeal against the Church and cause of Christ! Every wise Physician will vary his remedies, not only according to the kind of the disease, but according to its various accidents, and the complexion also of the patient.
§. 7. Direct. 7. Suit all your discourse to the quality of your Auditors: That which is best in it self,1 may not be best for every hearer. You must vary both your subject and manner of discourse, 1. According to the variety of mens knowledge: The wise and the foolish must not be spoken to alike. 2. According to the variety of their moral qualities: One may be very pious, and another weak in grace, and another only teachable and tractable, and another wicked and impenitent, and another obstinate and scornful: These must not be talkt to with the same manner of discourse. 3. According to the variety of particular sins which they are inclined to: which in some is pride, in some sensuality, lust or idleness, in some covetousness, and in some an erroneous zeal against the Church and cause of Christ! Every wise Physicion will vary his remedies, not only according to the kind of the disease, but according to its various accidents, and the complexion also of the patient.
- 1Direct. 7.