A Christian Directory

Name: A Christian Directory
Author: Richard Baxter

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.

Richard Baxter 1615–1691London: printed by Robert White for Nevill Simmons, 1673

[35], 929, [5], 214 p., [1] leaf of plates : port. · 1.2M words · Wing B1219 · ESTC R21847

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.

[ Earlier:1364–1379 of 9,947

:1364p. 154

Answ. 1. Though I am not come to the point of Trying and Discerning Grace, I shall give you this¹ much help in the way, because it is so useful to the exercises of Love. 1. If you have not Enjoying delighting Love, yet try whether you have not Desiring seeking Love. Love appeareth as truly in de•i••ng and seeking Good as in delighting in it. Poor men show their Love of the world, by Desiring and seeking it, as much as rich men do in delighting in it. What is it that you most desire and seek? 2. Or if this be so weak that you scarce discern it, do you not find a mourning and lamenting Love? You show that you loved your money, by mourning when you lose it; and that you loved your friend by grieving for his death, as well as by delighting in him while he lived. If you heartily lament it as your greatest unhappiness and loss, when you think that God doth cast you off, and that you are void of Grace, and cannot serve and honour him as you would, this shows you are not void of Love. 3. If you feel not that you Love him, do you feel that you would fain Love him, and that you Love to Love him? If you do so, it is a sign that you do Love him? When you do not only desire to find such an Evidence of salvation in you, but when you desire Love it self, and Love to Love God. Had you not rather have a heart to Love him perfectly, than to have all the riches in the world? Had you not rather live in the Love of God, if you could reach it, than to live in any earthly pleasure? If so, be sure he hath your hearts. The Will is the Love, and the Heart; If God have your Will he hath your Heart and Love. 4. What hath your Hearts if he have them not? Is there any thing that you prefer and seek before him, and that you had rather have than him? Can you be content without him, and let him go, in exchange for any earthly pleasure? If not, it is a sign he hath your Hearts. You love him sa•ingly if you set more by nothing else than by him. 5. Do you love his holy Image in his word? Do you delight and meditate in his Law, Psalm 1. 2. Is it in your hearts? Psalm 40. 8. Or do you pray, Incline my heart unto thy Testimonies? Psalm 119. 36

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A Christian Directory

DIRECT. XII. Trust God with that soul and body which thou hast delivered up and dedicated to¹ him; and quiet thy mind in his Love and faithfulness, whatever shall appear to² thee, or befall thee in the world.

Transcription key

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

DIRECT. XII. Trust God with that soul and body which thou hast delivered up and dedicated to1 him; and quiet thy mind in his Love and faithfulness, whatever shall appear to2 thee, or befall thee in the world.

Transcription key

DIRECT. XII. Trust God with that soul and body which thou hast delivered up and dedicated to¹ him; and quiet thy mind in his Love and faithfulness, whatever shall appear to² thee, or befall thee in the world.