A26892:2421
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.
§. 7. Direct. 2. When you have first laid this foundation, and have the true Principle and End of 1all right Studies, be sure that you intend this End in all, (even the Everlasting Sight and Love of God, and the promoting his Glory, and pleasing his holy will): And that you never meddle with any studies separated from this end, but as a means thereto, and as animated thereby.
§. 7. Direct. 2. When you have first laid this foundation, and have the true Principle and End of 1all right Studies, be sure that you intend this End in all, (even the Everlasting Sight and Love of God, and the promoting his Glory, and pleasing his holy will): And that you never meddle with any studies seperated from this end, but as a means thereto, and as animated thereby.
- 1Direct. 2.
§. 8. If every step in your journey is but loss of time and labour, which is not directed to your journeys end; and if all that you have to mind or do in the world, be only about your End or the Means; and all creatures and actions can have no other moral Goodness, than to be the means to God your ultimate end; then you may easily see, that when ever you leave out God as the End of any of your studies, your are but sinning, or doting: for in those Studies there can be no Moral Good, ⟨p. 320⟩though they may tend to your knowledge of Natural Good and Evil. And when you think you grow wise and learned men, and can dispute and talk of many things, which make to your renown, while your wills consent not to the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the doctrine which is according 1to Godliness; you are proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railing, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, supposing that gain is Godliness: from such turn away. As there is no knowledge but from God, so it is not knowledge but dotage if it lead not unto God.