A26892:1339
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 11 › Directions for Loving God as our Father and Felicity.
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.
§. 23. Direct. 6. Improve the principle of self-love, to the promoting of the Love of God, by considering 1what he hath done for thee, and what he is and would be to thee. I mean not carnal inordinate self-love which is the chiefest enemy of the Love of God: But I mean that rational Love of Happiness and self-preservation which God did put into innocent Adam, and hath planted in mans nature as necessary to his Government. This natural innocent self-love is that remaining principle in the Heart of man which God himself doth still presuppose in all his Laws and Exhortations; and which he taketh advantage of in his works and word, for the conversion of the wicked, and the persuading of his servants themselves to their obedience. This is the common principle in which we are agreed with all the wicked of the world [that all men should desire and seek to be happy, and choose and do that which is best for themselves;] or else it were in vain for Ministers to preach to them, if we were agreed in nothing, and we had not this ground in them to cast our seed into, and to work upon. And if self-love be but informed and guided by understanding, it will compel you to Love God, and tell you that nothing should be so much Loved. Every one that is a man must Love himself: We will not entreat him, nor be beholden to him for this: And every one that Loveth himself, will Love that which he judgeth Best for himself: And every wise man must know, that he never had, nor can have any good at all, but what he had from God. Why do men Love lust, or wealth, or honour, but because they think that these are good for them? And would they not Love God, if they practically knew that he is the Best of all for them, and instead of all? [Unnatural unthankful heart! Canst thou Love thy self, and not Love him that gave thee thy self, and gives thee all things? Nature teacheth all men to love their most entire and necessary friends: Do we deserve a reward by loving those that love us, when Publicans will do the like? Matth. 5. 46. Art thou not bound to love them that hate thee, and curse, and persecute thee? ver. 44, 45. What reward then is due to thy unnatural ingratitude, that canst not love thy chiefest friend? All the friends that ever were kind to thee, and did thee good, were but his messengers, to deliver what he sent thee. And canst thou love the bearer, and not the giver?
§. 23. Direct. 6. Improve the principle of self-love, to the promoting of the Love of God, by considering