Part 1 › Chapter 3 › Direction 15 › Directions for Glorifying God with our tongues, in his Praises., A Christian Directory by Richard Baxter (1673) | AskReformation

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:1491p. 176–177

§. 30. Direct. 9. Speak not so unskilfully and foolishly of God or holy things, as may […]pt the hearers ¹to turn it into a matter of scorn or laughter. Especially understand how your p[…], are suited to the company that you are in. Among those that are more ignorant, some weak discourses may be tolerable and profitable: For they are most affected with that which is delivered in their own Dialect and Mode: but among judicious or captious hearers, unskilful persons must be very sparing of their words, lest they do hurt, while they desire to do good, and make Religion s•em ridiculous. We may rejoice in the scorns which we undergo for Christ, and which are bent against his holy Laws, or the substance of our duty: But if men are jeered for speaking ridiculously and foolishly of holy things, they have little reason to take comfort in any thing of that, but their honest meanings and intents: Nay, they must be humbled for being a dishonour to the name of godliness. But the misery is, that few of the ignorant and weak have knowledge and humility enough •o perceive their ignorance and weakness, but they think they speak as wisely as the best, and are offended if their words be not reverenced accordingly. As a Minister should study and labour for a skill and ability to preach, because it is his work; so every Christian should study for skill to discourse with wisdom ⟨p. 177⟩and meet expressions, about holy things; because this is his work. And as unfit expressions and behaviour in a Minister, do cause contempt instead of edifying; so do they in discourse.

§. 30. Direct. 9. Speak not so unskilfully and foolishly of God or holy things, as may 〈…〉pt the hearers ¹to turn it into a matter of scorn or laughter. Especially understand how your p〈…〉, are suited to the company that you are in. Among those that are more ignorant, some weak discourses may be tolerable and profitable: For they are most affected with that which is delivered in their own Dialect and Mode: but among judicious or captious hearers, unskilful persons must be very sparing of their words, lest they do hurt, while they desire to do good, and make Religion s•em ridiculous. We may rejoyce in the scorns which we undergo for Christ, and which are bent against his holy Laws, or the substance of our duty: But if men are jeered for speaking ridiculously and foolishly of holy things, they have little reason to take comfort in any thing of that, but their honest meanings and intents: Nay, they must be humbled for being a dishonour to the name of godliness. But the misery is, that few of the ignorant and weak have knowledge and humility enough •o p•rceive their ignorance and weakness, but they think they speak as wisely as the best, and are offended if their words be not reverenced accordingly. As a Minister should study and labour for a skill and ability to preach, because it is his work; so every Christian should study for skill to discourse with wisdom ⟨p. 177⟩and meet expressions, about holy things; because this is his work. And as unfit expressions and behaviour in a Minister, do cause contempt instead of edifying; so do they in discourse.

1Direct. 9.

:1494p. 177

§. 32. Direct. 1. Our Lives then glorify God, when they are such as his Excellencies most appear in: ¹And that is when they are most Divine or Holy: when they are so managed, that the world may see, that ²it is God that we have chiefly respect unto, and that HOLINESS TO THE LORD is written upon all our faculties and affairs. So much of GOD as appeareth in our lives, so much they are truly venerable, and advanced above the rank of fleshly worldly lives. God only is the real glory of every person, and every thing, and every word or action of our lives. And the natural conscience of the world, which in despite of their Atheism, is forced to confess and reverence a Deity; will be forced (even when they are hated and persecuted) to reverence the appearance of God in his holy ones. Let it appear therefore, 1. That Gods Authority commandeth you, above all the powers of the earth, and against all the power of fleshly lusts: 2. That it is the Glory and³ Interest of God that you live for and look after principally in the world, and not your own carnal interest and glory: And that it is his work that you are doing, and not your own; and his cause and not your own that you are engaged in. 3. That it is his Word and Law that is your Rule. 4. And the example of his Son that is your pattern: 5. And that your hearts and lives are moved and acted in the world, by motives fetched from the Rewards which he hath promised, and the punishments which he hath threatened in the world to come. 6. And that it is a supernatural powerful principle sent from God into your hearts, even the Holy Ghost, by which you are inclined and actuated in the tenor of your lives. 7. And that your daily converse is with God, and that men and other creatures are comparatively nothing to you, but are made to stand by, while God is preferred, and honoured, and served by you: and that all your business is with him, or for him in the world.⁴

§. 32. Direct. 1. Our Lives then glorifie God, when they are such as his Excellencies most appear in: ¹And that is when they are most Divine or Holy: when they are so managed, that the world may see, that ²it is God that we have chiefly respect unto, and that HOLINESS TO THE LORD is written upon all our faculties and affairs. So much of GOD as appeareth in our lives, so much they are truly venerable, and advanced above the rank of fleshly worldly lives. God only is the real glory of every person, and every thing, and every word or action of our lives. And the natural conscience of the world, which in despight of their Atheism, is forced to confess and reverence a Deity; will be forced (even when they are hated and persecuted) to reverence the appearance of God in his holy ones. Let it appear therefore, 1. That Gods Authority commandeth you, above all the powers of the earth, and against all the power of fleshly lusts: 2. That it is the Glory and³ Interest of God that you live for and look after principally in the world, and not your own carnal interest and glory: And that it is his work that you are doing, and not your own; and his cause and not your own that you are engaged in. 3. That it is his Word and Law that is your Rule. 4. And the example of his Son that is your pattern: 5. And that your hearts and lives are moved and acted in the world, by motives fetcht from the Rewards which he hath promised, and the punishments which he hath threatned in the world to come. 6. And that it is a supernatural powerful principle sent from God into your hearts, even the Holy Ghost, by which you are inclined and actuated in the tenor of your lives. 7. And that your daily converse is with God, and that men and other creatures are comparatively nothing to you, but are made to stand by, while God is preferred, and honoured, and served by you: and that all your business is with him, or for him in the world.⁴

1Direct. 1.
2Tur•issimum est Philosopho secus docere quam vivi•: Paul Scalig•r. p. 728.
3Nam illa quae de regno calorum comm• m•rantur à n• b••, d• que praesent•um re•um cont•mp•u, vel non ca••unt▪ vel non •a••le sibi pe•suade•t cum s•rmo factis evertitur.
4Ac•sta•l▪ 4. c. 18. p. 418.

:1495p. 177

§. 33. Direct. 2. The more of Heaven appeareth in your Lives, the more your Lives do glorify God. Worldly and carnal men are conscious, that their glory is a vanishing glory, and their pleasure but a transitory dream, and that all their honour and wealth will shortly leave them in the dust: And¹ therefore they are forced in despite of their sensuality, to bear some reverence to the life to come: And though they have not hearts themselves, to deny the pleasures and profits of the world, and to spend their days in preparing for eternity, and in laying up a treasure in Heaven, yet they are convinced that those that do so, are the best and wisest men; and they could wish that they might dye the death of the righteous, and that their last end might be like his: As Heaven exceedeth Earth, even in the reverent acknowledgement of the World, though not in their practical esteem and choice: so Heavenly Christians have a reverent acknowledgement from them (when malice doth not hide their Heavenliness by slanders,) though they will not be such themselves. Let it appear in your lives, that really you seek a higher happiness than this world affordeth, and that you verily look to live with Christ, and that as Honour, and Wealth, and Pleasure command the lives of the ungodly, so the hope of Heaven commandeth yours; Let it appear that this is your design and business in the world, and that your Hearts, and conversation are above, and that whatever you do or suffer, is for this, and not for any lower end; and this is a life that God is glorified by.

§. 33. Direct. 2. The more of Heaven appeareth in your Lives, the more your Lives do glorifie God. Worldly and carnal men are conscious, that their glory is a vanishing glory, and their pleasure but a transitory dream, and that all their honour and wealth will shortly leave them in the dust: And¹ therefore they are forced in despight of their sensuality, to bear some reverence to the life to come: And though they have not hearts themselves, to deny the pleasures and profits of the world, and to spend their dayes in preparing for eternity, and in laying up a treasure in Heaven, yet they are convinced that those that do so, are the best and wisest men; and they could wish that they might dye the death of the righteous, and that their last end might be like his: As Heaven exceedeth Earth, even in the reverent acknowledgement of the World, though not in their practical esteem and choice: so Heavenly Christians have a reverent acknowledgement from them (when malice doth not hide their Heavenliness by slanders,) though they will not be such themselves. Let it appear in your lives, that really you seek a higher happiness than this world affordeth, and that you verily look to live with Christ, and that as Honour, and Wealth, and Pleasure command the lives of the ungodly, so the hope of Heaven commandeth yours; Let it appear that this is your design and business in the world, and that your Hearts, and conversation are above, and that whatever you do or suffer, is for this, and not for any lower end; and this is a life that God is glorified by.

1Direct. 2.

:1496p. 177–178

§. 34. Direct. 3. It glorifieth God, by showing the excellency of faith, when we contemn the riches ¹and honours of the world, and live above the worldlings life, accounting that a despicable thing, which he accounts his happiness, and loseth his soul for. As men despise the toys of children, so a believer must take the transitory vanities of this world, for matters so inconsiderable, as not to be worthy his regard, save only as they are the matter of his duty to God, or as they relate to him or the life to come: Saith Paul, 2 Cor. 4. 18. We look not at the things which are seen (they are not worth our observing or looking at) but at the things which are not seen: For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen, are eternal. The world is under a believers feet, while his eye is fixed on the celestial world. He travelleth through it to his home, and he will be thankful if his way be fair, and if he have his daily bread: but it is not his home, nor doth he make any great matter, whether his usage in it be kind or unkind, or whether his Inn be well adorned or not. He is almost indifferent whether for so short a time, he be rich or poor, in a high or in a low condition, further than as it tendeth to his Masters service. Let men see that you have a higher birth than they, and higher hopes, and higher hearts, by setting light by that which their hearts are set upon as their felicity. When seeming Christians are as worldly and ambitious as others, and make as great a matter of their gain, and wealth, and honour, it showeth that they do but cover the base and sordid Spirit of worldlings, with the visor of the Christian name, to deceive themselves, ⟨p. 178⟩and bring the faith of Christians into scorn, and dishonour the holy name which they us•r•.

§. 34. Direct. 3. It glorifieth God, by shewing the excellency of faith, when we contemn the riches ¹and honours of the world, and live above the worldlings life, accounting that a despicable thing, which he accounts his happiness, and loseth his soul for. As men despise the toyes of children, so a believer must take the transitory vanities of this world, for matters so inconsiderable, as not to be worthy his regard, save only as they are the matter of his duty to God, or as they relate to him or the life to come: Saith Paul, 2 Cor. 4. 18. We look not at the things which are seen (they are not worth our observing or looking at) but at the things which are not seen: For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen, are eternal. The world is under a believers feet, while his eye is fixed on the coelestial world. He travelleth through it to his home, and he will be thankful if his way be fair, and if he have his daily bread: but it is not his home, nor doth he make any great matter, whether his usage in it be kind or unkind, or whether his Inn be well adorned or not. He is almost indifferent whether for so short a time, he be rich or poor, in a high or in a low condition, further than as it tendeth to his Masters service. Let men see that you have a higher birth than they, and higher hopes, and higher hearts, by setting light by that which their hearts are set upon as their felicity. When seeming Christians are as worldly and ambitious as others, and make as great a matter of their gain, and wealth, and honour, it sheweth that they do but cover the base and sordid Spirit of worldlings, with the visor of the Christian name, to deceive themselves, ⟨p. 178⟩and bring the faith of Christians into scorn, and dishonour the holy name which they us•r•.

1Direct. 3.

:1497p. 178

§. 35. Direct. 4. It much honoureth God, when his servants can quietly and fearlessly trust in him, ¹i• the ••ce of all the dangers and threatenings which Devils or men can cast before them; and can joyfully suffer pain or death, in obedience to his commands, and in confidence on his promise of everlasting happiness. This showeth that we believe indeed that there is a God, and that he is the rewarder of them that diligently seek him, Heb. 11. 6. and that he is true and just, and that his promises are to be trusted on; and that he is able to make them good in despite of all the malice of his enemies: and that the threats or frowns of sinful Worms are contemptible to him that feareth God: Psal. 58. 11. S• that men shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: Verily there is a God that judgeth in the earth: and that at last will judge the world in righteousness: Paul gloried in the Th•ssal •ia•s, for their faith and patience, in all their persecutions and tribulations which they endured; as a manifest t•ken •f the righteous judgement of God, that they might be accounted worthy of the Kingdom […] God, f•r which they suffered: Seeing it is a righteous thing with G•d to recompense tribulation to them that trouble us, and rest with his Saints to those that are troubled, 2 Thess. 1. 4, 5, 6, 7. If ye be rep[…]d for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory, and of God resteth upon you; •• their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 1 Pet. 4. 14. If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed: but let him glorify God on this behalf; Vers. 16. When confidence in God, and assurance of the great reward in Heaven, (Matth. 5. 11, 12.) doth cause a believer und•untedly to say as the three Witnesses, Dan. 3. We are not careful, O King, to answer thee in this m•tter: The God wh•m we serve is able to deliver us: when by faith we can go through the trial of carnal mockings and scourgings, of bonds and imprisonment, to be destitute and afflicted, yea, and tortured, not accepting deliverance (upon sinful terms), thus God is glorified by believers. List up your voices, O ye afflicted Saints, and sing, f•r the Majesty of the Lord—Glorify ye the Lord in the fires, even the name of the Lord God of Israel in the Isles of the Sea, I•a. 24. 14, 15. Sing to his Praise with Paul and Silas, though your feet be in the stocks:

§. 35. Dir•ct. 4. It much h•noureth God, when his servants can quietly and fearlesly trust in him, ¹i• the ••ce of all the dangers and threatnings which Devils or men can cast before them; and can joyfully suf•er pain or d•ath, in obedience to his commands, and in confidence on his promise of everlasting happines•. This sheweth that we believe indeed that there is a God, and that he is the rewarder of them that diligently seek him, Heb. 11. 6. and that he is true and just, and that his promises are to be trusted on; and that he is able to make them good in despight of all the malice of his enemies: and that the threats or frowns of sinful Worms are c•ntemptible to him that feareth God: Psal. 58. 11. S• that men shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: Verily there is a God that jud•eth in the earth: and that at last will judge the world in righteousness: Paul gl•ried in the Th•ssal •ia•s, for their faith and pa•ience, in all their persecutions and t•ibulations which they endured; as a m•nifest t•ken •f the righteous judgement of God, that they might be accounted worthy of the Kingd•m 〈…〉 God, f•r which they suffered: Seeing it is a righteous thing with G•d to recompence tribulation to them that trouble us, and rest with his Saints to those that are troubled,

1Di••ct. 4.