A26892:2342
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.
§. 22. Direct. 8. When ever you are called to meditate on any smaller truth or thing, see that you 1take it not as separated from the greater, but still behold it as connected to them, and planted and growing in them, and receiving their life and beauty from them; so that you may still preserve the life and interest of the greatest matters in your hearts, and may not mortify the least, and turn it into a deceit or idol. We are to climb upwards, and not to descend downwards: and therefore we begin at the body of the Tree, and so pass up to the few and greatest boughs; and thence to the smaller numerous branches, which as they are hard to be discerned, numbered and remembered, so are they not all strong enough to bear us; but are fitted rather to be looked on, than trodden and rested on: But if you take them not as growing from the greater boughs, but cut them off, they lose their life, and beauty, and fruitfulness. If all the Controversies in the Church had been managed, with due honour and preservation of Holiness, Charity, Unity, Peace, and greater truths; and if all the circumstantials in Religion had been ordered with a salvo, and due regard, and just subserviency to the power and spirituality of holy Worship, the Christian world would have had more Life, and strength, and fruitfulness, and less imagery; unholy ludicrous complement, and hypocrisy.
§. 22. Direct. 8. When ever you are called to meditate on any smaller truth or thing, see that you 1take it not as separated from the greater, but still behold it as connexed to them, and planted and growing in them, and receiving their life and beauty from them; so that you may still preserve the life and interest of the greatest matters in your hearts, and may not mortifie the least, and turn it into a deceit or idol. We are to climb upwards, and not to descend downwards: and therefore we begin at the body of the Tree, and so pass up to the few and greatest boughs; and thence to the smaller numerous branches, which as they are hard to be discerned, numbred and remembred, so are they not all strong enough to bear us; but are fitted rather to be looked on, than trodden and rested on: But if you take them not as growing from the greater boughs, but cut them off, they lose their life, and beauty, and fruitfulness. If all the Controversies in the Church had been managed, with due honour and preservation of Holiness, Charity, Unity, Peace, and greater truths; and if all the circumstantials in Religion had been ordered with a salvo, and due regard, and just subsrviency to the power and spirituality of holy Worship, the Christian world would have had more Life, and strength, and fruitfulness, and less imagery; unholy ludicrous complement, and hypocrisie.