A26892:1000
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 1 › Chapter 3 › Direction 9 › The Methods of Christ against the Tempter.
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.
§. 61. II. Christs order in working is direct, and not backward as the Devils is: He first revealeth saving truth to the understanding, and affecteth the will •• showing the Goodness of the things revealed: And these employ the Thoughts, and Passions, and Senses, and the whole body, reducing the inferior faculties to obedience, and casting out by degrees those images which had deceived and prepossessed them.
§. 61. II. Christs order in working is direct, and not backward as the Devils is: He first revealeth saving truth to the understanding, and affecteth the will •• shewing the Goodness of the things revealed: And these employ the Thoughts, and Passions, and Senses, and the whole body, reducing the inferiour faculties to obedience, and casting out by degrees those images which had deceived and prepossessed them.
§. 62. The matter which Christ presenteth to the Soul, is 1. Certain Truth from the Father of Lights, set up against the Prince and Kingdom of darkness, ignorance, error, and deceit. 2. Spiritual and everlasting Good, even God himself to be seen, and Loved, and Enjoyed for ever, against the Tempters temporal, corporal and seeming good. Christs Kingdom and work are advanced by Light: He is for the promoting of all useful knowledge: and therefore for clear and convincing Preaching, for reading the Scriptures in a known tongue, and meditating in them day and night, and for exhorting one another daily; which Satan is against.
§. 63. III. The Means by which he worketh against Satan, are such as these. 1. Sometime he maketh use of the very temper of the body as a preparative; and (being Lord of all) he giveth such a temperature as will be most serviceable to the soul: As a sober, deliberate, meek, quiet and patient disposition. But sometime he honoureth his Grace by the conquest of such sins; as even bodily disposition doth entertain and cherish.