A27009:670
The right method for a settled peace of conscience, and spiritual comfort in 32…
The right method for a settled peace of conscience, and spiritual comfort in 32 directions : written for the use of a troubled friend / and now published by Richard Baxter ...
London: printed for T. Underhil, 1653
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.
2. Let me next add this: Let them be rather Pastors then private men, if it may be: And rather your own Pastor then others, if they are fit. For the first consider, 1. It is their office to be Guides of Christs Disciples under him, and to be spiritual Physicians for the curing of souls. And experience telleth us (and sadly of late) what a curse followeth those that step beyond the bounds of their calling by invading this office; and that God blesseth means to them that keep within his order, 1 Thess. 5 12, 13. Heb. 13.7.17. Not but that private men may help you in this, as a private neighbour may give you a Medicine to cure your disease; but you will not so soon trust them in any weighty case as you will the Physician. 2. Besides Ministers have made it the study of their lives, and therefore are liker to understand it then others. As for those that think long study no more conducible to the knowledge of Scriptures, then if men studied not at all, they may as well Renounce Reason, and dispute for preheminency of beasts above men, as renounce study which is but the use of Reason. But it appears how considerately these men speak themselves, and ⟨p. 511⟩whence it comes, and how much credit a sober-Christian should give them! Let them read Psal. 1.2, 3. Heb. 5.11, 12, 13, 14. 1 Tim. 4.13, 14, 15, 16. and 2 Tim. 2.15. and let them return to their wits. Paul commands Timothy, though he was from his youth acquainted with the Scriptures, Meditate upon these things: Give thy self Wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear to all: How much need have we to do so now? 3. Also Ministers are usually most experienced in this work: And wisdom requires you no more to trust your soul then you would do your body with an unexperienced man.
2. Let me next adde this: Let them be rather Pastors then private men, if it may be: And rather your own Pastor then others, if they are fit. For the first consider, 1. It is their office to be Guides of Christs Disciples under him, and to be spiritual Physicians for the curing of souls. And experience telleth us (and sadly of late) what a curse followeth those that step beyond the bounds of their calling by invading this office; and that God blesseth means to them that keep within his order,