A26892:1238
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 10 › Directions for faithful serving Christ, and doing Good.
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.
§. 17. Direct. 14. If you will do the good which God accepteth, do that which he requireth; and put 1not the name of good works upon your sins, nor upon unnecessary things of your own invention; nor think not that any Good must be accomplished by forbidden means. None know what pleaseth God so well as himself. Our ways may be right in our own eyes, and carnal wisdom may think it hath devised the fittest means to honour God, when he may abominate it, and say, who required this at your hand? And if we will do good by sinning, we must do it in despite of God, who is engaged against our sins and us. Rom. 3. 8. God needeth not our lie to his glory: If Papists think to find at the last day, their foppish ceremonies, and superstition, and will-worship, their, touch not, taste not, handle not, to be reckoned to them as Good works; or if Jesuits or Enthusiasts think to find their Perjury, Treasons, Rebellions, or conspiracies numbered with good works; or the persecuting of the Preachers and faithful professors of Godliness to be good works, how lamentably will they find their expectations disappointed?
§. 17. Direct. 14. If you will do the good which God accepteth, do that which he requireth; and put 1not the name of good works upon your sins, nor upon unnecessary things of your own invention; nor think not that any Good must be accomplished by forbidden means. None know what pleaseth God so well as himself. Our waies may be right in our own eyes, and carnal wisdom may think it hath devised the fittest means to honour God, when he may abominate it, and say, who required this at your hand? And if we will do good by sinning, we must do it in despite of God, who is engaged against our sins and us. Rom. 3. 8. God needeth not our lie to his glory: If Papists think to find at the last day, their foppish ceremonies, and superstition, and will-worship, their, touch not, taste not, handle not, to be reckoned to them as Good works; or if Jesuites or Enthusiasts think to find their Perjurie, Treasons, Rebellions, or conspiracies numbred with good works; or the persecuting of the Preachers and faithful professors of Godliness to be good works, how lamentably will they find their expectations disappointed?