A26892:2418
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.
§. 4. 3. Till you are renewed you study in the dark, and without that internal sight and sense, 1by which the life and spirit and kernel of all that you study must be known. All that the Scripture saith of the darkness of a state of sin, and of the illumination of the spirit, and of the marvellous light of regenerate souls, and of the natural mans not receiving the things of the spirit, and of the carnal mind that is enmity against God, and is not subject to his Law, nor can be; all these and such other passages are not insignificant, but most considerable truths from the spirit of truth. You have only that Light that will show you the shell, and the dead letter, but not the soul, and quickening sense, of any practical holy truth. As the eye knoweth meat which we never tasted, or as a mere Grammarian, or Logician readeth a Law book or Physic book (who gather nothing out of them that will save a mans estate or life) so will you prosecute all your studies.
§. 4. 3. Till you are renewed you study in the dark, and without that internal sight and sense, 1by which the life and spirit and kernel of all that you study must be known. All that the Scripture saith of the darkness of a state of sin, and of the illumination of the spirit, and of the marvellous light of regenerate souls, and of the natural mans not receiving the things of the spirit, and of the carnal mind that is enmity against God, and is not subject to his Law, nor can be; all these and such other passages are not insignificant, but most considerable truths from the spirit of truth. You have only that Light that will shew you the shell, and the dead letter, but not the soul, and quickening sense, of any practical holy truth. As the eye knoweth meat which we never tasted, or as a meer Grammarian, or Logician readeth a Law book or Physick book (who gather nothing out of them that will save a mans estate or life) so will you prosecute all your studies.