A26892:1372
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.
It will endure nothing to enter or abide within me, that is contrary to the will and interest of my Lord; but hate every motion that tendeth to dishonour and displease him. It would fill my soul with so much of Heaven, as would make me long to be in Heaven, and make death welcome▪ which is now so terrible: Instead of these withdrawing shrinking fears, I should desire to depart and to be with Christ, as being best of all. O how easily should I bear any burden of reproach, or loss, or want, when I thus Loved God and were assured of his Love? How light would the Cross be? And how honourable and joyful would it seem, to be imprisoned, reviled, spit upon and buffeted for the sake of Christ? How desirable would the flames of Martyrdom seem, for the testifying of my love, to him that loved me at dearer rates than I can love him? Lord is there no more of this blessed life of Love to be attained here on earth? When all the world reveals thy Goodness; when thy Son hath come down to declare thy love, in so full and wonderful a manner? When thy word hath opened us a window into Heaven, where afar off we may discern thy Glory; yet shall our hearts be clods and ice? O pity this unkind unnatural soul! This dead, insensible, disaffected soul! Teach me by thy spirit the art of Love! Love me not only so as to convince me that I have abundant cause to Love thee above all, but Love me so as to constrain me to it, by the magnetical attractive power of thy Goodness, and the insuperable operations of thy omnipotent Love!
It will endure nothing to enter or abide within me, that is contrary to the will and interest of my Lord; but hate every motion that tendeth to dishonour and displease him. It would fill my soul with so much of Heaven, as would make me long to be in Heaven, and make death welcome▪ which is now so terrible: Instead of these withdrawing shrinking fears, I should desire to depart and to be with Christ, as being best of all. O how easily should I bear any burthen of reproach, or loss, or want, when I thus Loved God and were assured of his Love? How light would the Cross be? And how honourable and joyful would it seem, to be imprisoned, reviled, spit upon and buffeted for the sake of Christ? How desirable would the flames of Martyrdom seem, for the testifying of my love, to him that loved me at dearer rates than I can love him? Lord is there no more of this blessed life of Love to be attained here on earth? When all the world reveals thy Goodness; when thy Son hath come down to declare thy love, in so full and wonderful a manner? When thy word hath opened us a window into Heaven, where afar off we may discern thy Glory; yet shall our hearts be clods and ice? O pitty this unkind unnatural soul! This dead, insensible, disaffected soul! Teach me by thy spirit the art of Love! Love me not only so as to convince me that I have abundant cause to Love thee above all, but Love me so as to constrain me to it, by the magnetical attractive power of thy Goodness, and the insuperable operations of thy omnipotent Love!