A26892:1658
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.
And either you speak of Goodness or Holiness existent or non-existent: In a Devil there is substance, which is Good in its natural kind, and therefore so far loved of God: But there is no Holiness in him: And that which is not, is not Amiable: But if you mean existent Holiness, in a Saint, then it is false, that God loveth the person of a Devil, better than the Holiness of a Saint. Nor is it a proof that he loveth them equally, because he equally willeth their existence: For he willeth not they shall be equal in Goodness, though equally existent: And it is complacency, and not mere Volition of existence, which we mean by Love.
And either you speak of Goodness or Holiness existent or non-existent: In a Devil there is substance, which is Good in its natural kind, and therefore so far loved of God: But there is no Holiliness in him: And that which is not, is not Amiable: But if you mean existent Holiness, in a Saint, then it is false, that God loveth the person of a Devil, better than the Holiness of a Saint. Nor is it a proof that he loveth them equally, because he equally willeth their existence: For he willeth not they shall be equal in Goodness, though equally existent: And it is complacency, and not meer Volition of existence, which we mean by Love.
Otherwise your arguing is as strong if it run thus; That which God bringeth to pass, and not another thing; he willeth and loveth more than that other: But God bringeth to pass mens sickness, pain, death and damnation, and not the Holiness, Ease or Salvation of those persons: Therefore he loveth their pain, death and damnation better than their Holiness: Therefore we should love them better, and the Devils or miserable men should love their misery better than Holiness. God showeth what he loveth, oft by commanding it, when he doth not effect it: He loveth Holiness in esse cognito, and in esse existente respectively as his Image.
Otherwise your arguing is as strong if it run thus; That which God bringeth to pass, and not another thing; he willeth and loveth more than that other: But God bringeth to pass mens sickness, pain, death and damnation, and not the Holiness, Ease or Salvation of those persons: Therefore he loveth their pain, death and damnation better than their Holiness: Therefore we should love them better, and the Devils or miserable men should love their misery better than Holiness. God sheweth what he loveth, oft by commanding it, when he doth not effect it: He loveth Holiness in esse cognito, and in esse existente respectively as his Image.