A26892:1497
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 the glorifying God in our Lives.
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.
§. 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