A Christian Directory

Name: A Christian Directory
Author: Richard Baxter

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.

Richard Baxter 1615–1691London: printed by Robert White for Nevill Simmons, 1673

[35], 929, [5], 214 p., [1] leaf of plates : port. · 1.2M words · Wing B1219 · ESTC R21847

Title page typeset from the transcription.

Part 1 › Chapter 1 › Part 1 › Direction 2: Direction 2. Especially labour first to understand the true nature of a state of sin, a…Part 1 › Chapter 1 › Part 1 › Direction 2: Direction 2. ESpecially labour first to understand the true nature of a state of sin, a…

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.

[ Earlier:216–231 of 9,947

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But stay a little man; and understand the matter well as you go; for it is your salvation that lieth at the stake: It's very true that All are sinners: But it is as true that some are in a state of sin, and some in a state of grace; some are converted sinners, and some unconverted sinners: some live in sins inconsistent with Holiness (which therefore may be called Mortal) others have none but infirmities which consist with spiritual life (which in this sense may be called Venial:) some hate their sin and long to be perfectly delivered from it: and others so love it, as they are loth to leave it. And is there no difference think you between these?

But stay a little man; and understand the matter well as you go; for it is your salvation that lyeth at the stake: It's very true that All are sinners: But it is as true that some are in a state of sin, and some in a state of grace; some are converted sinners, and some unconverted sinners: some live in sins inconsistent with Holiness (which therefore may be called Mortal) others have none but infirmities which consist with spiritual life (which in this sense may be called Venial:) some hate their sin and long to be perfectly delivered from it: and others so love it, as they are lothe to leave it. And is there no difference think you between these?

:217p. 8

§. 2. It is as true also that Christ dyed for sinners: (Or else where were our hope?) But it is true also that he dyed to save his people from their sins, Matth. 1. 21. and to bring them from darkness ¹unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God, Acts 26. 18. and to redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself a peculiar people zealous of good works, Tit. 2. 14. and that except a man be born again, and converted, and become as a little child (in humility and beginning the world anew) he cannot enter into the Kingdom of heaven,

[ Earlier passages Later passages ]

A Christian Directory

Direction 3. TO know what a life of Holiness is, believe the Word of God, and those that have¹ tried it, and believe not the slanders of the Devil and of ungodly men, that never tried or knew the things which they reproach.

Direction 3. TO know what a life of Holiness is, believe the Word of God, and those that have¹ tryed it, and believe not the slanders of the Devil and of ungodly men, that never tryed or knew the things which they reproach.

Direction 4. That thy understanding may be enlightened, and thy heart renewed, be much and serious¹ in Reading the Word of God, and those Books that are fitted to men in an unconverted state, and especially in hearing the plain and searching preaching of the word.

Direction 4. THat thy understanding may be enlightned, and thy heart renewed, be much and serious¹ in Reading the Word of God, and those Books that are fitted tomen in an unconverted state, and especially in hearing the plain and searching preaching of the word.

Direction 5. F thou wouldst not be destitute of saving Grace, let thy Reason be exercised about the¹ matters of thy salvation, in some proportion of frequent, sober, serious Thoughts, as thou art convinced the weight of the matter doth require.

Transcription key

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

Direction 3. TO know what a life of Holiness is, believe the Word of God, and those that have1 tried it, and believe not the slanders of the Devil and of ungodly men, that never tried or knew the things which they reproach.

Direction 3. TO know what a life of Holiness is, believe the Word of God, and those that have1 tryed it, and believe not the slanders of the Devil and of ungodly men, that never tryed or knew the things which they reproach.

Direction 4. That thy understanding may be enlightened, and thy heart renewed, be much and serious1 in Reading the Word of God, and those Books that are fitted to men in an unconverted state, and especially in hearing the plain and searching preaching of the word.

Direction 4. THat thy understanding may be enlightned, and thy heart renewed, be much and serious1 in Reading the Word of God, and those Books that are fitted tomen in an unconverted state, and especially in hearing the plain and searching preaching of the word.

Direction 5. F thou wouldst not be destitute of saving Grace, let thy Reason be exercised about the1 matters of thy salvation, in some proportion of frequent, sober, serious Thoughts, as thou art convinced the weight of the matter doth require.