A26892:2304
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.
certainly if thou think so, it is because thy heart never felt the bitterness of sin, nor was ever yet acquainted with true Repentance, but the time is yet to come, that Light must show thee what sin is, and what thou art, and what thou hast done, and how full thy heart is of the Serpents brood, and that thy sin must find thee out! Dost thou not know that thy sins are as the Sands of the Shore, or as the hairs upon thy head for number! and that every sin hath deadly poison in it, and malignant enmity to God and holiness; and yet are they not enough, to keep thy Thoughts from being idle? Judge by their language whether it be so with penitents? Psal. 51. 2, 3. Wash me throughly from my wickedness, and cleanse me from my sin: for I acknowledge my transgressions and my sin is ever before me, Psal. 40. 12. For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up: they are more than the hairs of my head; therefore my heart faileth me. Psal. 119. 57. I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. True Repentance is thus described, Ezek. 36. 31. Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loath your selves in your own sight, for your own iniquities, and for your abominations. Yea Gods forgiving and forgetting your sins, must not make you forget them, Ezek. 16. 60, 61, 62, 63. I will establish to thee an everlasting Covenant; Then thou shalt remember thy ways and be ashamed—And I will establish my Covenant with thee—That thou mayest remember and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more, because of thy shame, when I am pacified towards thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord God of Hosts.
certainly if thou think so, it is because thy heart never felt the bitterness of sin, nor was ever yet acquainted with true Repentance, but the time is yet to come, that Light must shew thee what sin is, and what thou art, and what thou hast done, and how full thy heart is of the Serpents brood, and that thy sin must find thee out! Dost thou not know that thy sins are as the Sands of the Shore, or as the hairs upon thy head for number! and that every sin hath deadly poyson in it, and malignant enmity to God and holiness; and yet are they not enough, to keep thy Thoughts from being idle? Judge by their language whether it be so with penitents?