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,I. CHRISTIAN ETHICS (or private Duties.)II. CHRISTIAN OECONOMICKS (or Family Duties.)III. CHRISTIAN ECCLESIASTICS (or Church Duties.)IV. CHRISTIAN POLITICS (or Duties to our Rulers and Neighbours.)By RICHARD BAXTER.Mal. 2. 7▪ 8.The Priests lips should keep Knowledge, and they should seek the Law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts. But ye are departed out of the way: Ye have Caused many to stumble at the Law; ye have corrupted the Covenant of Levi—Matth. 13. 52.Every SCRIBE which is instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven, is like unto a man that is an Householder, which bringeth forth out of his Treasure things New and Old.Heb. 5. 13, 14.For every one that useth Milk is unskilful in the Word of Righteousness: for he is a Babe: But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age: Those who by reason of USE, have their senses exercised to discern both Good and Evil.2 Tim. 2. 14, 15, 16.Of these things put them in remembrance; charging them before God, that they STRIVE not about WORDS, to no profit, but to the subverting of the Hearers: Study to show thy self approved UNTO GOD, a Workman that needeth not to be ashamed, RIGHTLY DIVIDING the word of Truth. But shun profane and vain Babblings; for they will increase unto more Ungodliness, and their Word will eat as doth a Canker.2 Pet. 3. 16.In which (Pauls Epistles) are some things hard to be understood: which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures to their own destruction.LONDON, Printed, by Robert White, for Nevill Simmons, at the Sign of the Princes Arms in St. Pauls Church-yard. 1673.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,I. CHRISTIAN ETHICKS (or private Duties.)II. CHRISTIAN OECONOMICKS (or Family Duties.)III. CHRISTIAN ECCLESIASTICKS (or Church Duties.)IV. CHRISTIAN POLITICKS (or Duties to our Rulers and Neighbours.)By RICHARD BAXTER.Mal. 2. 7▪ 8.The Priests lips should keep Knowledge, and they should seek the Law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts. But ye are departed out of the way: Ye have Caused many to stumble at the Law; ye have corrupted the Covenant of Levi—Matth. 13. 52.Every SCRIBE which is instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven, is like unto a man that is an Housholder, which bringeth forth out of his Treasure things New and Old.Heb. 5. 13, 14.For every one that useth Milk is unskilful in the Word of Righteousness: for he is a Babe: But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age: Those who by reason of USE, have their senses exercised to discern both Good and Evil.2 Tim. 2. 14, 15, 16.Of these things put them in remembrance; charging them before God, that they STRIVE not aboutTitle page of A Christian Directory, London, 1673

A26892:227

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 3: Direction 3. TO know what a life of Holiness is, believe the Word of God, and those tha…

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:224–239 of 9,947

:224p. 9

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.

1Direct. 3.

:225p. 9

§. 1. Reason cannot question the reasonableness of this advice. Who is wiser than God? or who is to be believed before him? And what men are liker to know what they talk of, then such as speak from their own experience? Nothing more familiar with wicked men, than to slander and reproach the holy ways and servants of the Lord. No wisdom, no measure of Holiness or righteousness will exempt the Godly from their malice. Otherwise Christ himself at least would have been exempted, if not his Apostles or other Saints, whom they have slandered and put to death. Christ hath foretold us what to expect from them, John 15. 18, 19, 20, 21. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you: If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you: Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than the Lord: If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you: if they have kept my sayings they will keep yours also.

[ 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.

Direction 6. Suffer not the Devil by company, pleasure or worldly business to divert or hinder thee¹ from these serious Considerations.

Direction 6. SUffer not the Devil by company, pleasure or worldly business to divert or hinder thee¹ from these serious Considerations.

Direction 7. IF thou wouldst be converted and saved, be not a malicious or peevish enemy to those¹ that would convert and save thee: Be not angry with them that tell thee of thy sin or duty, as if they did thee wrong or hurt.

Direction 7. IF thou wouldst be converted and saved, be not a malicious or pievish enemy to those¹ that would convert and save thee: Be not angry with them that tell thee of thy sin or duty, as if they did thee wrong or hurt.

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.

Direction 6. Suffer not the Devil by company, pleasure or worldly business to divert or hinder thee1 from these serious Considerations.

Direction 6. SUffer not the Devil by company, pleasure or worldly business to divert or hinder thee1 from these serious Considerations.

Direction 7. IF thou wouldst be converted and saved, be not a malicious or peevish enemy to those1 that would convert and save thee: Be not angry with them that tell thee of thy sin or duty, as if they did thee wrong or hurt.

Direction 7. IF thou wouldst be converted and saved, be not a malicious or pievish enemy to those1 that would convert and save thee: Be not angry with them that tell thee of thy sin or duty, as if they did thee wrong or hurt.

Transcription key

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.

Direction 6. Suffer not the Devil by company, pleasure or worldly business to divert or hinder thee¹ from these serious Considerations.

Direction 6. SUffer not the Devil by company, pleasure or worldly business to divert or hinder thee¹ from these serious Considerations.

Direction 7. IF thou wouldst be converted and saved, be not a malicious or peevish enemy to those¹ that would convert and save thee: Be not angry with them that tell thee of thy sin or duty, as if they did thee wrong or hurt.

Direction 7. IF thou wouldst be converted and saved, be not a malicious or pievish enemy to those¹ that would convert and save thee: Be not angry with them that tell thee of thy sin or duty, as if they did thee wrong or hurt.