A26892:1542
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.
24. All the Goodness of the Creature doth formally consist in its threefold Relation to GOD, viz. 1. In the Impresses of God as its first Efficient or Creator; as it is his Image or the effect and demonstration of his perfections, viz. his Infinite Power, Wisdom and Goodness, 2, In its Conformity to his Directions, or Governing Laws, and so in its Order and Obedience: 3. And in its Aptitude and Tendency to God as its final cause even to the demonstration of his Glory, and the Complacency of his Will.
25. All Created Good is therefore Derivative, Dependant, Contingent, Finite, Secondary, From God By God, and To God, receiving its Form and Measure from its respect to Him.
26. Yet as it may be subordinately From man, as the Principle of his own Actions, and By man as a subordinate Ruler of himself or others, and To man as a subordinate End; so there is accordingly a subordinate sort of Goodness, which is so denominated from these respects unto the Creature, that is himself Good, subordinately;
27. But all this subordinate Goodness (Bonum à nobis, Bonum per nos, Bonum nobis) is but Analogically so; and dependently on the former sort of Goodness, and is something in due subordination to it and against it, nothing, that is, not properly Good.