A26892:2293
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 6 › Tit. 2. Directions to furnish the Mind with good Thoughts.
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.
§. 2. Direct. 2. Know God aright, and behold him by the eye of an effectual faith, and you shall never 1want matter for holy thoughts: His Greatness and continual presence with you, may command your2 thoughts, and awe them, and keep them from masterless vagaries: His wisdom will find them continual employment, upon the various, excellent and delectable subjects, of his natural and supernatural revelation: but no where so much as upon himself: In God thou mayest find matter for thy cogitations and affections, most high and excellent, delighting the mind with a continual su•vitv, affording still fresh delights, though thou meditate on him a thousand years, or to all eternity: Thou mayest better say, that the Ocean hath not water enough for thee to swim in, or that the Earth hath not room enough for thee to tread upon, than that there is not matter enough in God, for thy longest Meditations, and most delighting satisfying thoughts. The blessed Angels and Saints in Heaven, will find enough in God alone, to employ their minds to all eternity: O horrid darkness and atheism that yet remaineth on our hearts! that we should want matter for our thoughts, to keep them from feeding upon air or filth? or want matter for our delight, to keep our mind• from begging it at the creatures door, or hungering for the husks that feed the Swine! when we have the Infinite God, Omnipotent, Omniscient, most good and bountiful, our life, and hope, and happiness to think on with delight.
§. 2. Direct. 2. Know God aright, and behold him by the eye of an effectual faith, and you shall never 1want matter for holy thoughts: His Greatness and continual presence with you, may command your2 thoughts, and awe them, and keep them from masterless vagaries: His wisdom will find them continual employment, upon the various, excellent and delectable subjects, of his natural and supernatural revelation: but no where so much as upon himself: In God thou maist find matter for thy cogitations and affections, most high and excellent, delighting the mind with a continual suvitv, affording still fresh delights, though thou meditate on him a thousand years, or to all eternity: Thou maist better say, that the Ocean hath not water enough for thee to swim in, or that the Earth hath not room enough for thee to tread upon, than that there is not matter enough in God, for thy longest Meditations, and most delighting satisfying thoughts. The blessed Angels and Saints in Heaven, will find enough in God alone, to employ their minds to all eternity: O horrid darkness and atheism that yet remaineth on our hearts! that we should want matter for our thoughts, to keep them from feeding upon air or filth? or want matter for our delight, to keep our mind from begging it at the creatures door, or hungring for the husks that feed the Swine! when we have the Infinite God, Omnipotent, Omniscient, most good and bountiful, our life, and hope, and happiness to think on with delight.