A26892:1484
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 15 › Directions for Glorifying God with our tongues, in his Praises.
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.
§. 21. 9. No duty is more pleasing to God, than the cheerful Praises of his Servants: He loveth your prayers, tears and groans; but your Praises much more: And that which pleaseth God most must be most pleasing to his servants: For to please him is their End: This is the End of all their labour, that whether present or absent, they may be accepted of him. 2 Cor. 5 9. So that it is a final enjoying, and therefore a delighting duty.
§. 22. 10. To be much employed in the Praises of God, will acquaint the world with the nature of true Religion, and remove their prejudice, and confute their dishonourable thoughts and accusations of it, and recover the honour of Christ, and his holy ways, and servants. Many are averse to a holy life, because they think that it consisteth but of melancholy fears or scrupulosity: But who dare open his mouth against the joyful praises of his Maker? I have heard and read of several enemies and murderers, that have broke in upon Christians with an intent to kill them, or carry them away, that finding them on their knees in prayer, and reverencing the work so much as to stay and hear them till they had done, have reverenced the persons also, and departed, and durst not touch the heavenly worshippers of God. This life of praise is a continual pleasure to the soul; clean contrary to a Melancholy life: It is recreating to the Spirits, and healthful to the body, which is consumed by cares, and fears, and sorrows. It is the way that yieldeth that mirth which doth good like a medicine, and is a continual feast, Prov. 17. 22. & 15. 15. Therefore saith the Apostle, James 5. 13. Is any merry? Let him sing Psalms. He cannot better exercise mirth, than in singing praises to his God. This keeps the soul continually on the wing, desiring still to be nearer God, that it may have more of these delights: And so it overcomes the sense of persecutions and afflictions, and the fears of death; and is a most excellent cordial and companion in the greatest sufferings. Was it not an excellent hearing, to have been a witness of the joy of Paul and Silas, when in the Prison and Stocks, with their backs sore with scourges, they sang at midnight the praises of the Lord?