A26892:1814
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.
It will much sooner fall asleep in an Ale-house, or a Play-house, or among the foolish and profane, than at a lively Sermon, or Prayer, or reverent discourse of God. If I could but get Conscience awakened to perform its office, and preach over all this that I have said, in secret, it would ••rret the Hypocrite out of his self-deceit. Go Conscience, and search that deceitful heart, and speak to it in the Name of God: Ask that Hypocrite whether Conversion ever made him a new Creature, and whether his soul and all that he hath be entirely devoted unto God? and whether his hopes and treasure be laid up in Heaven, and his heart be there? and whether he subject all his worldly interest to the Will of God, and the interest of his soul? and whether his greatest work be about his Heart, and to approve himself to God? and whether he make an impartial diligent enquiry after the truth, with a desire to receive it at the dearest rates? Tell him that a proud self-flattery may now make him justify or extenuate his sins, and take his formalities and lip-service and abuse of God for true devotion, and hate every man that would detect his hypocrisy, and convert him by bringing in the light: But a light will shortly appear to his soul, which he shall not resist. And then let him stand to his justification if he can? and let him then make it good that he gave up himself in sincerity, simplicity and self-denial to his God.
It will much sooner fall asleep in an Ale-house, or a Play-house, or among the foolish and prophane, than at a lively Sermon, or Prayer, or reverent discourse of God. If I could but get Conscience awakened to perform its office, and preach over all this that I have said, in secret, it would ••rret the Hypocrite out of his self-deceit. Go Conscience, and search that deceitful heart, and speak to it in the Name of God: Ask that Hypocrite whether Conversion ever made him a new Creature, and whether his soul and all that he hath be entirely devoted unto God? and whether his hopes and treasure be laid up in Heaven, and his heart be there? and whether he subject all his worldly interest to the Will of God, and the interest of his soul? and whether his greatest work be about his Heart, and to approve himself to God? and whether he make an impartial diligent enquiry after the truth, with a desire to receive it at the dearest rates? Tell him that a proud self-flattery may now make him justifie or extenuate his sins, and take his formalities and lip-service and abuse of God for true devotion, and hate every man that would detect his hypocrisie, and convert him by bringing in the light: But a light will shortly appear to his soul, which he shall not resist. And then let him stand to his justification if he can? and let him then make it good that he gave up himself in sincerity, simplicity and self-denyal to his God.