A26892:1652
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.
Object. 3. But it seems that most or all men love God practically best. For there are few if any but would rather be annihilated, than there should be no God, or no world. Therefore they Love God better than themselves.
Answ. 1. They know that if there were no God or no world, they could not be themselves; and so must also be annihilated. 2. But suppose that they would rather be annihilated, than continue in prosperity alone were it possible without a God, that is but for the worlds sake, because the world cannot be the world without a God, which proveth but that they are so much men, as to Love the whole world better than themselves. But could the world possibly be what it is without a God, I scarce think they would choose annihilation, rather than that there should be no God. 3. But suppose they would, yet I say that some sensual men love their Lusts or sensuality better than their being; and had rather be annihilated for ever, so they might but spend their lives in Pleasure than to live for ever without those pleasures. And therefore they will say, that a short life with pleasure is better than a long one without it: And when they profess to believe the life to come, and the danger of sinning; yet will they not leave their sinful pleasures, to save their souls. Therefore that man that would rather be annihilated than there should be no God, may yet love his Lusts better than God, though not his Being. 4. And I cannot say that every one shall be saved that Loveth God under a false idea or image better than himself: No more than that it will save a distracted melancholy Venereous Lover, if he Loved his Paramour or Mistress better than himself: For God is not ⟨p. 193⟩Loved as God, if he be not loved as Infinitely Great, and Wise, and Good, which containeth his Holiness, and also as the Owner, and Holy Governor and End of man: If any therefore should love God upon conceit that God loveth him, and will indulge him in his sins, or if he love him only for his Greatness, and as the fountain of all natural sensible Good, and love him not as Holy, nor as a Holy and Just Governor and End, it is not God indeed that this man loveth; or he loveth him but secundum quid, and not as God.