A26892:251
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.
§. 2. But I beseech you consider but these two things: First, Either it is true that you are in so1 miserable a state, or it is not true: If it be not true, the closest trial will but comfort you, by discovering that you are sanctified already: But if it be true, then do you think it will save you to be ignorant of your danger? Will it cure your disease, to believe that you have it not? Will thinking well of your selves falsely, prove that you are well indeed? Is it the way to grace, to think you have it, when you have it not? Will it bring you to Heaven, to think that you are going thither, when you are in the way to Hell? Nay, do you not know, that it is the principal temptation of the Devil, to keep men from a state of Repentance and Salvation, to deceive them thus, and persuade them that they are in such a state already? Judge soberly of the case: Do you think if all the impenitent unconverted sinners in the world were certain that they are indeed in a graceless state, in which if they died, they were past all hope, that they would not quickly look about them, and better understand the offers of a Saviour, and live in continual solicitude and fear, till they found themselves in a safer state? If you were sure your selves, that you must yet be made new creatures, or be damned, would it not set you on work to seek more diligently after grace than ever you have done? The Devil knoweth this well enough; that he could scarce keep you quiet this night in his snares, but you would be ready to repent and beg for mercy, and resolve on a new life, before to morrow, if you were but sure that you are yet in a state of condemnation. And therefore he doth all that he can to hide your sin and danger from your eyes, and to quiet you with the conceit, that though you are sinners, yet you are penitent, pardoned and safe.
§. 2. But I beseech you consider but these two things: First, Either it is true that you are in so1 miserable a state, or it is not true: If it be not true, the closest tryal will but comfort you, by discovering that you are sanctified already: But if it be true, then do you think it will save you to be ignorant of your danger? Will it cure your disease, to believe that you have it not? Will thinking well of your selves falsly, prove that you are well indeed? Is it the way to grace, to think you have it, when you have it not? Will it bring you to Heaven, to think that you are going thither, when you are in the way to Hell? Nay, do you not know, that it is the principal temptation of the Devil, to keep men from a state of Repentance and Salvation, to deceive them thus, and perswade them that they are in such a state already? Judge soberly of the case: Do you think if all the impenitent unconverted sinners in the world were certain that they are indeed in a graceless state, in which if they died, they were past all hope, that they would not quickly look about them, and better understand the offers of a Saviour, and live in continual solicitude and fear, till they found themselves in a safer state? If you were sure your selves, that you must yet be made new creatures, or be damned, would it not set you on work to seek more diligently after grace than ever you have done? The Devil knoweth this well enough; that he could scarce keep you quiet this night in his snares, but you would be ready to repent and beg for mercy, and resolve on a new life, before to morrow, if you were but sure that you are yet in a state of condemnation. And therefore he doth all that he can to hide your sin and danger from your eyes, and to quiet you with the conceit, that though you are sinners, yet you are penitent, pardoned and safe.