A26892:1217
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.
7. Though God need none of our works, yet that which is good materially pleaseth him, as it tendeth to his glory, and to our own and others benefit, which he delighteth in.
8. It is the communicating of his goodness and excellencies to the creature, by which God doth glorify himself in the world: and in Heaven where is the fullest Communication, he is most glorified: Therefore the praise which is given to the creature, who receiveth all from him, is his own praise: And it is no dishonour to God, that his creature be honoured, by being good, and being esteemed good: Otherwise God would never have created any thing, lest it should derogate from himself: Or he would have made them bad, lest their goodness were his dishonour; and he would be most pleased with the wicked, and least pleased with the best, as most dishonouring him: But madness it self abhorreth these conceits.
8. It is the communicating of his goodness and excellencies to the creature, by which God doth glorifie himself in the world: and in Heaven where is the fullest Communication, he is most glorified: Therefore the praise which is given to the creature, who receiveth all from him, is his own praise: And it is no dishonour to God, that his creature be honoured, by being good, and being esteemed good: Otherwise God would never have created any thing, lest it should derogate from himself: Or he would have made them bad, lest their goodness were his dishonour; and he would be most pleased with the wicked, and least pleased with the best, as most dishonouring him: But madness it self abhorreth these conceits.
9. Therefore as an act of Mercy to us, and for his own Glory (as at first he made all things very good, so) he will make the new creature according to his Image, which is Holy, and Just, and Good, and will use us in good works; and it is our honour, and gain, and happiness to be so used by him: As he will not communicate Light to the world without the Sun (whose glory derogateth not from his honour). So will he not do good works in the world immediately by himself only; but by