A26892:1401
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 12 › §. 7. Directions for a quieting and comforting Trust in God.
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.
§. 20. Direct. 13. When commands will not prevail, rebuke and chide thy unbelieving heart, and reason 1it out of its. distrustful cares, and fears, and sorrows. Say to it as David oft, Psal. 42. & 43. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art th•u so disquieted within me? Trust in God, for I shall yet give him thanks, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. O foolish soul! Hast thou yet learned no better to know thy God? Doth he support the Heavens and the Earth, and the whole Creation? and yet canst not thou rely upon him? Is he not wise enough to be trusted with the conduct and disposal of thee? Is he not good and gracious enough to be trusted, with thy life, estate, and name, and welfare? Is he not great and powerful enough to be trusted, against the greatest danger, or difficulties, or opposition that ever can befall thee? Is •e not true and faithful enough to be trusted, whatever improbabilities may arise before thee? Where dwelt the man, and what was his name, that ever trusted him in vain, or was ever failed or deceived by him? Are not his Son, and Spirit, and Covenant, and Oath, sufficient pledges of his love for thy security? How oft hath he performed his promises to thee? and heard thy cries? and helped and saved thee in thy distress? How oft hath he confuted thine unbelief? and shamed thy distrustful fears and cares? And then thou couldst resolve to trust him better in the next distress. And shall all his wonders of mercy be forgotten? and all thy confessions, thanksgivings and promises be now repented of, contradicted or recanted, by thy renewed distrust and unbelief? Is he not the same God, that hath so frequently and abundantly had mercy on thee? Is he not the same God, that hath saved all that trusted in him, and wrought such wonders for his servants in the earth, and brought so many safe to Heaven? Our Fathers trusted in him: they trusted and he delivered them: they cried to him, and were delivered: they trusted in him, and were not confounded, Psal. 22. 4, 5. And is he not sufficient for thee, that is sufficient for all the world? Who ever sped ill ⟨p. 161⟩that trusted in him? or who hath prospered by trusting in themselves or any other, without him, or against him? Unworthy soul! Wilt thou Atheistically deny the sufficiency, or truth, or goodness of thy God? Shall thy distrust deny him, or blaspheme him?