A26892:8677
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.
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.
Answ. It is no duty in any of these cases following. 1. In general, When you have sufficient reason to judge, that it will do more harm than good, and will not attain its proper end: For God hath not appointed us to do hurt under pretence of duty: It is no Means, which doth cross the end which it should attain. As prayer and preaching may be a sin, when they are like to cross their proper end, so also may reproof be.
2. Therefore it must not be used when it apparently hindereth a greater good. As we may not pray or preach when we should be quenching a fire in the Town, or saving a mans life: So when reproof doth exclude some greater duty or benefit, it is unseasonable and no duty at that time. Christ alloweth us to forbear the casting of pearls before Swine, or giving that which is holy to1 Dogs, because of these two Reasons forementioned, It is no means to the contemptuous, and they will turn again and all to rend us. Much more, if it be some potent enemy of the Church, who will not only rend us, but the Church it self if he be so provoked; Reproving him then is not our duty.