A26892:2338
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.
§. 18. Direct. 4. Examine well, and determine of the End and Use of your meditations before you 1set upon them, and then labour to fit them to that special End. The End is first in the intention, and from the Love of it the means are chosen and used. If it be knowledge that you are to increase, it is evidence of Truth, with the Matter to be known, in a convincing scientifical way, that you must meditate on: If it be Divine belief that is to be increased or exercised, it is Divine Revelations, both matter and evidence of credibility which you have to meditate on: If you would excite the Fear of God, you have his Greatness, and terribleness, his Justice and threatenings to meditate on: If you would excite the Love of God, you have his Goodness, Mercy, Christ and promises to meditate on: If you would prepare for death and judgement, you have your hearts to try, your lives to repent of, your graces to discover, and revive, and exercise, and your souls diseases to •eel, and the remedies to apply: so when ever you mean to make any thing of a set meditation, determine first of the end, and by it of the means.
§. 18. Direct. 4. Examine well, and determine of the End and Use of your meditations before you 1set upon them, and then labour to fit them to that special End. The End is first in the intention, and from the Love of it the means are chosen and used. If it be knowledge that you are to encrease, it is evidence of Truth, with the Matter to be known, in a convincing scientifical way, that you must meditate on: If it be Divine belief that is to be encreased or exercised, it is Divine Revelations, both matter and evidence of credibility which you have to meditate on: If you would excite the Fear of God, you have his Greatness, and terribleness, his Justice and threatnings to meditate on: If you would excite the Love of God, you have his Goodness, Mercy, Christ and promises to meditate on: If you would prepare for death and judgement, you have your hearts to try, your lives to repent of, your graces to discover, and revive, and exercise, and your souls diseases to •eel, and the r•medies to apply: so when ever you mean to make any thing of a set meditation, determine first of the end, and by it of the means.