A26892:1592
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.
74. Though no man indeed Love God as God, who Loveth him not as Better than himself, and therefore Loveth him not better, and as his absolutely ultimate end, and though no man desire Holiness indeed, who desireth not to be devoted absolutely to God, before and above himself; yet is it very common to have a false imperfect notion of God and Holiness, as being the felicity of man, and though not to deny, yet to leave out the essential superlative notion of the Deity; And it is more common to confess all this of God and Holiness notionally (as was aforesaid) and practically to take in no more of God and Holiness, but that they are better for us than temporary pleasures; And some go further, and take them as better for them, than any (though perpetual) mere sensual delights: And so make the perfection of mans highest faculties (practically) to be their ultimate end; And desire or Love God and Holiness (defectively and falsely apprehended) for themselves, or their own felicity, and not Themselves and their felicity and Holiness, ultimately for God. Which showeth that though these men have somewhat overcome the sensual concupiscence or flesh, yet have they not sufficiently overcome the SELFISH disposition, nor yet known and Loved God as God, nor Good as Good.
74. Though no man indeed Love God as God, who Loveth him not as Better than himself, and therefore Loveth him not better, and as his absolutely ultimate end, and though no man desire Holiness indeed, who desireth not to be devoted absolutely to God, before and above himself; yet is it very common to have a false imperfect notion of God and Holiness, as being the felicity of man, and though not to deny, yet to leave out the essential superlative notion of the Deity; And it is more common to confess all this of God and Holiness notionally (as was aforesaid) and practically to take in no more of God and Holiness, but that they are better for us than temporary pleasures; And some go further, and take them as better for them, than any (though perpetual) meer sensual delights: And so make the perfection of mans highest faculties (practically) to be their ultimate end; And desire or Love God and Holiness (defectively and falsly apprehended) for themselves, or their own felicity, and not Themselves and their felicity and Holiness, ultimately for God. Which sheweth that though these men have somewhat overcome the sensual concupiscence or flesh, yet have they not sufficiently overcome the SELFISH disposition, nor yet known and Loved God as God, nor Good as Good.