A26892:1348
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.
§. 26. Direct. 9. The great Means of promoting Love to God, is duly to behold him in his appearances to man, in the ways of NATURE, GRACE and GLORY: First therefore learn to understand and improve his appearances in NATURE, and to see the Creator in all his works, and by the Knowledge and Love of them to be raised to the Knowledge and Love of him: Though sin hath so disabled us to the due improvement of these Appearances of God in nature, that Grace must restore us, before we can do it effectually and acceptably; yet Objectively Nature is still the same in substance, and affordeth us much help to the Knowledge and Love of God. He knoweth nothing of the world aright, that knoweth not God in it, and by it. Some note that the greatest students in Nature are not usually the best proficients in grace; and that Philosophers and Physicians are seldom great admirers of piety: But this is to judge of the wise by the foolish, and to impute the ignorance and impiety of some, to others that abhor it. Doubtless he is no Philosopher but a fool, that seeth not and admireth not the Creator in his works. Indeed if a man do wholly give himself to know the shape and form of Letters, and to write them curiously, or cut them in brass or stone, or to print them, and not to understand their significations or use, no wonder if he be ignorant of the arts and sciences, which those Letters ⟨p. 150⟩well understood would teach him: Such a man may be called an Engraver a S•rivener, a Printer but not a Scholar: And no better can the Atheist be called a Philosopher or a learned man, that denieth the most wise Almighty author, while he beholdeth his works: When the Nature and Name of God is so plainly engraven upon them all. It is a great part of a Christians daily busyness, to see and admire God in his works, and to use them as steps to ascend by to himself Psal 111. 2, 3, 4. The works of the ••rd ••e great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein: His work is honourable and gl••i•us; and his righteousness endureth for ever: He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered—Psal. 143. 5▪ I meditate on all thy works: I muse on the works of thy hands. [