A26892:1627
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.
93. If any dislike any of this decision, I only desire him to remember, that on both hands there are apparent Rocks to be avoided: First, It is a dangerous thing to say that a man is in a state of grace and salvation, who loveth not God as God, that is, better than himself: And on the other ⟨p. 190⟩hand the experience of most Christians in the world saith, that at their first believing (if not long after) they Loved God more for themselves, than for Himself, and Loved themselves more than God, though they knew that God was better and more amiable; and that the fear of misery, and the desire of their own salvation, was more effectual and prevalent with them, than that Love of God for himself. And I doubt, that not very many have this at all in so high a degree as to be clear and certain of it. And if we shall make that necessary to salvation, which few of the best Christians find in themselves, we either condemn almost all professed Christians, or at least leave them under uncertainty and terrors. Therefore Gods Interest speaking so loud on one hand, and mans experience on the other, I think we have need to cut by a thread, and walk by line, with greatest accurateness.
93. If any dislike any of this decision, I only desire him to remember, that on both hands there are apparent Rocks to be avoided: First, It is a dangerous thing to say that a man is in a state of grace and salvation, who loveth not God as God, that is, better than himself: And on the other ⟨p. 190⟩hand the experience of most Christians in the world saith, that at their first believing (if not long after) they Loved God more for themselves, than for Himself, and Loved themselves more than God, though they knew that God was better and more amiable; and that the fear of misery, and the desire of their own salvation, was more effectual and prevalent with them, than that Love of God for himself. And I doubt, that not very many have this at all in so high a degree as to be clear and certain of it. And if we shall make that necessary to salvation, which few of the best Christians find in themselves, we either condemn allmost all professed Christians, or at least leave them under uncertainty and terrors. Therefore Gods Interest speaking so lowd on one hand, and mans experience on the other, I think we have need to cut by a thred, and walk by line, with greatest accurateness.