A26892:2336
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.
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.
§. 16. Direct. 2. To this end you must know in their several degrees, what subjects are in themselves 1most excellent to be meditated on. As the first and highest is the most blessed God himself, and the glorious 2person of our Redeemer, and the New Jerusalem, or Heaven of Glory where he is revealed to3 his Saints: And then, the blessed society which there enjoyeth him, and the holy Vision, Love and Joy, by which he is enjoyed: And next is the wonderful work of mans Redemption, and the Covenant of Grace, and the sanctifying operations of the Holy Ghost, and all the Graces that make up Gods image on the soul! And then is, the state and privileges of the Church, which is the Body of Christ, for whom all this is done and prepared. And next, is, the work of the Gospel by which this Church is gathered, edified and saved: And then, the matter of our own salvation, and our state of grace, and way to life. And then, the salvation of others: And then the common public good, in temporal respects: And then our personal bodily welfare: And next, the Bodily welfare of our neighbours: And lastly, those things that do but remotely tend to these. This is the order of desirableness and worth, which will tell you what should have estimative precedency, in your thoughts and prayers.
§. 16. Direct. 2. To this end you must know in their several degrees, what subjects are in themselves 1most excellent to be meditated on. As the first and highest is the most blessed God himself, and the glorious 2person of our Redeemer, and the New Ierusalem, or Heaven of Glory where he is revealed to3 his Saints: And then, the blessed society which there enjoyeth him, and the holy Vision, Love and Ioy, by which he is enjoyed: And next is the wonderful work of mans Redemption, and the Covenant of Grace, and the sanctifying operations of the Holy Ghost, and all the Graces that make up Gods image on the soul! And then is, the state and priviledges of the Church, which is the Body of Christ, for whom all this is done and prepared. And next, is, the work of the Gospel by which this Church is gathered, edified and saved: And then, the matter of our own salvation, and our state of grace, and way to life. And then, the salvation of others: And then the common publick good, in temporal respects: And then our personal bodily welfare: And next, the Bodily welfare of our neighbours: And lastly, those things that do but remotely tend to these. This is the order of desirableness and worth, which will tell you what should have estimative precedency, in your thoughts and prayers.