A26892:2401
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. 5. Directions to the Melancholy about their 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.
§. 14. Direct. 10. Overlook not the Miracle of Love, which God hath showed us in the wonderful incarnation, 1office, life, death, resurrection, ascension and reign of our Redeemer: But steep your thoughts most in these wonders of mercy, proposed by God to be the chief matter of your thoughts. You should in reason lay out many thoughts of Christ and Grace, for one that you lay out on your sin and misery. God requireth you to see your sin and misery, but so much as tendeth to magnify the remedy, and cause you to accept it: Never think of sin and Hell alone; but as the way to the thoughts of Christ and Grace. This is the duty even of the worst. Are your sins ever before you? Why is not pardoning grace in Christ before you? Is Hell open before you? Why is not the Redeemer also before you? Do you say, Because that sin and Hell are yours, but Christ, and Holiness, and Heaven are none of yours? I answer you, It is then because you will have it so: If you would not have it so, it is not so. God hath set Life first before you, and not only Death. He hath put Christ, and Holiness and Heaven in his end of the balance; and the Devil puts the pleasure of sin for a season in the other2 end: That which you choose unfeignedly is yours: For God hath given you your choice. Nothing is truer, than that God hath so far made over Christ and Life to all, that hear the Gospel, that nothing but their final obstinate refusal can condemn them: Christ and Life are brought to the will and choice of all, though all have not wills to accept and choose him. And if you would not have Christ and Life and Holiness, what would you rather have? And why complain you?
§. 14. Direct. 10. Overlook not the Miracle of Love, which God hath shewed us in the wonderful incarnation, 1office, life, d•ath, resurrection, ascention and reign of our Redeemer: But steep your thoughts most in these wonders of mercy, proposed by God to be the chief matter of your thoughts. You should in reason lay out many thoughts of Christ and Grace, for one that you lay out on your sin and misery. God requireth you to see your sin and misery, but so much as tendeth to magnifie the remedy, and cause you to accept it: Never think of sin and Hell alone; but as the way to the thoughts of Christ and Grace. This is the duty even of the worst. Are your sins ever before you? Why is not pardoning grace in Christ before you? Is Hell open before you? Why is not the Redeemer also before you? Do you say, Because that sin and Hell are yours, but Christ, and Holiness, and Heaven are none of yours? I answer you, It is then because you will have it so: If you would not have it so, it is not so. God hath set Life first before you, and not only Death. He hath put Christ, and Holiness and Heaven in his end of the ballance; and the Devil puts the pleasure of sin for a season in the other