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:219–234 of 9,947

:219p. 8

§. 4. It is true also, that if you truly Repent you are forgiven. But it is as true, that true Repentance is the very Conversion of the soul from sin to God, and leaveth not any man in the power of sin: It is not for a man when he hath had all the pleasure that sin will yield him, to wish then that he had not committed it, (which he may do then at an easy rate) and yet to keep the rest that are still pleasant and profitable to his flesh. Like a man that casts away the bottle which he hath drunk empty, but keeps that which is full; Or as men sell off their barren Kine, and buy milch ones in their stead: This kind of Repentance is a mockery, and not a cure for the soul. If thou have true Repentance, it hath so far turned thy heart from sin, that thou wouldst not commit it, if it were to do ¹again, though thou hadst all the same temptations; And it hath so far turned thy heart to God and Holiness, that thou wouldst live a holy life, if it were all to do again, though thou hadst the same temptations as afore against it. (Because thou hast not the same heart.) This is the nature of true Repentance: such a Repentance indeed is never too late to save: but I am sure it never comes too soon.

§. 4. It is true also, that if you truly Repent you are forgiven. But it is as true, that true Repentance is the very Conversion of the soul from sin to God, and leaveth not any man in the power of sin: It is not for a man when he hath had all the pleasure that sin will yield him, to wish then that he had not committed it, (which he may do then at an easie rate) and yet to keep the rest that are still pleasant and profitable to his flesh. Like a man that casts away the bottle which he hath drunk empty, but keeps that which is full; Or as men sell off their barren Kine, and buy milch ones in their stead: This kind of Repentance is a mockery, and not a cure for the soul. If thou have true Repentance, it hath so far turned thy heart from sin, that thou wouldst not commit it, if it were to do ¹again, though thou hadst all the same temptations; And it hath so far turned thy heart to God and Holiliness, that thou wouldst live a holy life, if it were all to do again, though thou hadst the same temptations as afore against it. (Because thou hast not the same heart.) This is the nature of true Repentance: such a Repentance indeed is never too late to save: but I am sure it never comes too soon.

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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.