A26892:1361
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.
§. 33. Direct. 12. It is a powerful means to kindle the Love of God in a believer, to foresee by faith 1the glory of Heaven, and what God will be there to his Saints for ever. And thus to behold God in his2 GLORY, is the use of GRACE. Though the manner of knowing him thus by faith, be far short of what we there expect, yet it is the same God, and glory that now we believe, which then we must more openly behold. And therefore as that Apprehension of Love will unconceivably excel the highest which can be here attained; so the fore-thoughts of that doth excel all other arguments and means ⟨p. 153⟩to affect us here; and will raise us as high as means can raise us. The greatest things, and greatest interest of our souls being there, will greatly raise us to the Love of God, if any thing will do it: To foresee how near him we shall be ere long, and what a glorious proof we shall have of his good will! and how our souls will be ravished everlastingly with his Love! To think what hearts the blessed have that see his glory, and live with Christ! How full of love they are? and what a delight it is to them thus to love! must needs affect the heart of a Believer. [Lift up thy head, poor drowsy sinner! Look up to Heaven, and think where thou must live for ever! Think what the holy ones of God are doing! Do they love God, or do they not? Must it not be then thy life and work for ever? And canst thou forbear to love him now, that is bringing thee to such a world of Love? Thou wouldst love him more, that would give thee security to possess a Kingdom which thou never sawest, than him that giveth thee but some toy in hand. And let it not seem too distant to affect thee: The time is as nothing till thou wilt be there: Thou knowest not but thou mayest be there this night: There thou shalt see the Maker of the worlds, and know the mysteries of his wondrous works. There thou shalt see thy blessed Lord, and feel that love which thou readest of in the Gospel, and enjoy the fruits of it for ever: There thou shalt see him that suffered for thee, and rose again, whom Angels see and worship in his glory. Thou shalt see there a more desirable sight, than those that saw him heal the blind, and lame, and sick, and raise the dead; or those that saw him in his transfiguration;