A26892:1436
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.
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.
But carnal thankfulness falls short of this absolute and total dedication, and still leaveth the sinner in the power of self-love, devoting himself (really) to himself, and using all that he is, or hath, to the pleasing of his fleshly mind, and giving God only the tithes or leavings of the flesh, or so much as it can spare, lest he should stop the streams of his benignity, and bereave the flesh of its prosperity and contents.
But carnal thankfulness falls short of this absolute and total dedication, and still leaveth the sinner in the power of self-love, devoting himself (really) to himself, and using all that he is, or hath, to the pleasing of his fleshly mind, and giving God only the tythes or leavings of the flesh, or so much as it can spare, lest he should stop the streams of his benignity, and bereave the flesh of its prosperity and contents.
§. 3. Directions for Thankfulness to God our Benefactor.
Direct. 1. Understand well how great this duty is, in the nature of the thing, but especially how the 1very design and tenor of the Gospel, and the way of our salvation by a Redeemer, bespeaketh it as the very complexion of the soul, and of every duty. A creature that is wholly his Creators, and is preserved every moment by him, and daily fed and maintained by his bounty, and is put into a capacity of life eternal, must needs be obliged to unceasing Gratitude. And Unthankfulness among men is justly taken for an unnatural monstrous vice; which forfeiteth the benefits of friendship and society, 2 Tim. 3. 2. The unthankful are numbered with the unholy, &c. as part of the monsters which should come in the last times, (and which we have lived to see, exactly answering that large description of them): But the Design of God in the work of Redemption, is purposely laid for the raising of the highest Thankfulness in man: and the Covenant of Grace containeth such abundant wondrous Mercies, as might compel the souls of men to Gratitude, or leave them utterly without excuse. It is a great truth, and much to be considered; that Gratitude is that general duty of the Gospel,