A26892:179
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.
§. 2. Against this Wilful Negligence and Presumption, which is the principal Cause of the damnation of the ungodly world, I have written many Books already: But because there are many that profess themselves unfeignedly willing, not only to be saved, but also to be Christs Disciples, to learn of him, to ⟨p. 2⟩imitate him, and be conformed to him, and to do the will of God, if they could but know it; I have determined, by God's assistance, to write this Book for the Use of such, and to give them from Gods Word those plain Directions, which are suited to the several Duties of their lives, and may Guide them safely in their Walk with God, to Life Eternal. Expect not here copious and earnest Exhortations; for that work I have done already, and have now to do with such, as say they are made willing, and desire help against their Ignorance, that Skill and Will may concur to their salvation. I shall labour to speak as Plainly as I can, because I specially intend it for the ignorant; and yet to be competently exact in the Directions, lest such Readers lose the benefit by mistakes; and I must speak to many Cases, because I speak to Families where all are not in the same condition, and the same persons are not still the same: And therefore if I should not be brief in the particulars, I should be too long in the whole, and tediousness might deprive some Readers of the benefit.
§. 2. Against this Wilful Negligence and Presumption, which is the principal Cause of the damnation of the ungodly world, I have written many Books already: But because there are many that profess themselves unfeignedly willing, not only to be saved, but also to be Christs Disciples, to learn of him, to ⟨p. 2⟩imitate him, and be conformed to him, and to do the will of God, if they could but know it; I have determined, by God's assistance, to write this Book for the Use of such, and to give them from Gods Word those plain Directions, which are suited to the several Duties of their lives, and may Guide them safely in their Walk with God, to Life Eternal. Expect not here copious and earnest Exhortations; for that work I have done already, and have now to do with such, as say they are made willing, and desire help against their Ignorance, that Skill and Will may concurr to their salvation. I shall labour to speak as Plainly as I can, because I specially intend it for the ignorant; and yet to be competently exact in the Directions, lest such Readers lose the benefit by mistakes; and I must speak to many Cases, because I speak to Families where all are not in the same condition, and the same persons are not still the same: And therefore if I should not be brief in the particulars, I should be too long in the whole, and tediousness might deprive some Readers of the benefit.