A26892:1946
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.
Part 1 › Chapter 4 › Part 5 › Signs of the next Degrees of Pride as against God.
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.
Signs of the next Degrees of Pride as against God.
§. 31. Sign 1. A Proud heart is very hardly brought to see the greatness of its sins, or to know its1 emptiness of Grace, or to be convinced of its unpardoned miserable state, or of the Justice of God2 if he should damn it to everlasting torments. Concerning others it may confess all this; but hardly of it self. Its own unbelief, and averseness from God and holiness, seemeth to it a small and tolerable fault: Its own pride, and lust, and worldliness, and sensuality, seem not to be so bad as to deserve damnation: Much less the smallest sin which it committeth. Though customarily they may say that God were just, if he did condemn them, yet they believe it not at the heart. The most convincing Preacher shall have much ado to bring a proud man heartily to confess that he is an enemy to God, a child of wrath, and under the guilt of all his sins, and sure to be condemned unless he be converted. He will confess that he is a sinner, or any thing else which the most godly must confess, or which doth not conclude him to be in a damnable unrenewed state: But to make an ungodly man know that he is ungodly, and an impenitent person know that he is impenitent, and and unsanctified person know that he is unsanctified, is wonderful hard, because that Pride hath dominion in them. Are we blind also? Say the proud incorrigible Pharisees to Christ, Joh. 9. 40.
§. 31. Sign 1. A Proud heart is very hardly brought to see the greatness of its sins, or to know its