A26892:1437
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.
§. 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, 2which containeth and animateth all the rest, as being Essential to all that is properly Evangelical. A Law as a Law requireth Obedience as the general duty: and this Obedience is to be exercised and found in every particular duty which it requireth: And the Covenant with the Jews was called, The Law, because the Regulating part was most eminent: and so obedience was the thing that was eminently required by the Law (though their measure of mercy obliged them also to thankfulness): But the Gospel or New Covenant is most eminently a history of Mercy, and a tender and promise of the most unmatchable benefits, that ever were heard of by the ears of man: so that the Gift of Mercy is the predominant or eminent part in the Gospel or New Covenant; and though still God be our Governor, and