A26892:1353
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.
§. 28. 2. Behold God also in his Covenant of Grace, which he hath made in Christ. In that you may see suc• s•r•, such great and wonderful mercies, freely given out to a world of sinners, and to your selves among the rest, as may afford abundant matter for Love and Thankfulness to feed on while you live. There you may see how loth God is that sinners should perish: How he delighteth in mercy: And how great and unspeakable that mercy is. There you may s•e an Act of Pardon and Oblivion granted upon the reasonable condition of Believing, Penitent Acceptance, to all mankind: The sins that men have been committing many years together, their wilful heinous aggravated sins, you may there see pardoned by more aggravated Mercy: and the enemies of God reconciled to him, and condemned rebels saved from Hell, and brought into his family, and made his sons. [O what an Image of the Goodness of God is apparent in the tenor of his word and Covenant? Holiness and Mercy make up the whole: They are expressed in every leaf and line. The precepts which seem too strict to sinners, are but the perfect Rules of Holiness and Love, for the health and happiness of man. What Loveliness did David find in the Law it self? And so should we, if we read it with his eyes and heart: It was sweeter to him than honey: he loved it above gold, Psalm 119. 127, and 97. he crieth out O how I love thy Law! it is my meditation all the day And must not the Law-giver then be much more lovely, whose Goodness here appeareth to us? Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way: Psalm 25. 8. I will delight my self in thy Commandments which I have loved: My hands also will I lift up to thy Commandments which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes. Psalm 119. 47, 48. How delightfully then should I love and meditate on the Blessed Author of this holy Law? But how can I read the history of Love, the strange design of Grace in Christ, the mystery which the Angels desirously pry into, the promises of life to lost and miserable sinners, and not feel the power of Love transform me? Behold with what Love the Father hath Loved us, that we should be called the sons of God?