A26892:986
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.
§. 49. 5. He doth his worst, to make Ministers weak, to disgrace the cause of Christ, and hinder his work by their bungling, and unskilful management, that there may be none to stand up against sin, but some unlearned or half-witted men, that can scarce speak sense, or will provoke contempt or laughter in the hearers.
§. 50. 6. He doth his worst to make Ministers scandalous, that when they tell men of their sin and duty, they may think such mean not as they speak, and believe not themselves, or make no great matter of it; but speak for custom, credit, or for their hire. And that the people by the wicked lives of the Preachers, may be emboldened to disobey their doctrine, and to imitate them, and live without Repentance.
§. 50. 6. He doth his worst to make Ministers scandalous, that when they tell men of their sin and duty, they may think such mean not as they speak, and believe not themselves, or make no great matter of it; but speak for custom, credit, or for their hire. And that the people by the wicked lives of the Preachers, may be emboldned to disobey their doctrine, and to imitate them, and live without Repentance.
§. 51. 7. He will labour to load the ablest Ministers with reproaches and slanders; which thousands shall hear, who never hear the truth in their defence: And so making them odious, the people will receive no more good by their preaching, than from a Turk, or Jew, till the very truth it self, for it self prevail. And to this end especially he doth all that he can to foment continual divisions in the Church; that while every party is engaged against the other, the Interest of their several causes may make them think it necessary to make the chief that are against them seem odious, or contemptible to the people, that so they may be able to do their cause, and them no harm: And so they disable them from serving Christ and saving souls, that they may disable them to hurt themselves, or their faction, or their impotent cause.