A26892:2518
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.
§. 8. Direct. 6. Suspect all that fervent Love to any Creature which is hasty before sufficient trial: for 1commonly both persons and things have the best side outward, and seem better at the first appearance than they prove. Not but that a moderate Love may be taken up upon the first appearance of any excellency, especially spiritual: But so as to allow for a possibility of being deceived, and finding more faultiness upon a fuller trial, than we at first perceive. Have you dwelt in the house with the persons whom you so much admire? and have you tried them in their conversations? and seen them tried by crosses, losses, injuries, adversity, prosperity, or the offers of preferment or plenty in the world? you would little think what lurketh undiscovered in the hearts of many, that have excellent parts, till trial manifest it!
§. 8. Direct. 6. Suspect all that fervent Love to any Creature which is hasty before sufficient tryal: for 1commonly both persons and things have the best side outward, and seem better at the first appearance than they prove. Not but that a moderate Love may be taken up upon the first appearance of any excellency, especially spiritual: But so as to allow for a possibility of being deceived, and finding more faultiness upon a fuller tryal, than we at first perceive. Have you dwelt in the house with the persons whom you so much admire? and have you tryed them in their conversations? and seen them tryed by crosses, losses, injuries, adversity, prosperity, or the offers of preferment or plenty in the world? you would little think what lurketh undiscovered in the hearts of many, that have excellent parts, till tryal manifest it!
- 1Direct. 6.
§ 9. Direct. 7. Try your affections in prayer before God, whether they be such as you dare boldly pray 1