A26892:1449
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.
§. 12. Direct. 10. Bethink thee how thou wouldst value thy mercies, if thou wert deprived of them. 1The want of them usually teacheth us most effectually to esteem them. Think how thou shouldst value Christ and hope, if thou wert in Despair? And how thou wouldst value the mercies of Earth, if thou wert in Hell? And the Mercies of England, if thou were among bloody Inquisitors and persecutors, and wicked cruel Heathens or Mahometans, or brutish savage Americans: Think how good sleep would seem to thee, if thou couldst not sleep for pains? Or how good thy meat, or drink, or clothes, or house, or maintenance, or friends, would all seem to thee, if they were taken from thee: And how great a mercy health would seem, if thou were under some tormenting sickness; and what a mercy Time would seem, if Death were at hand, and Time were ending: And what a mercy thy least sincere desires, or measure of grace is in comparison of their case that are the haters, despisers and persecutors of holiness; These thoughts if followed home, may shame thee into thankfulness.
§. 12. Direct. 10. Bethink thee how thou wouldst value thy mercies, if thou wert deprived of them. 1The want of them usually teacheth us most effectually to esteem them. Think how thou shouldst value Christ and hope, if thou wert in Despair? And how thou wouldst value the mercies of Earth, if thou wert in Hell? And the Mercies of England, if thou were among bloody Inquisitors and persecutors, and wicked cruell Heathens or Mahometans, or bruitish savage Americans: Think how good sleep would seem to thee, if thou couldst not sleep for pains? Or how good thy meat, or drink, or cloaths, or house, or maintenance, or friends, would all seem to thee, if they were taken from thee: And how great a mercy health would seem, if thou were under some tormenting sickness; and what a mercy Time would seem, if Death were at hand, and Time were ending: And what a mercy thy least sincere desires, or measure of grace is in comparison of their case that are the haters, despisers and persecutors of holiness; These thoughts if followed home, may shame thee into thankfulness.
- 1Direct. 10.