A26892:2527
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.
§. 16. Direct. 4. Still remember how jealous God is of your Love, and how much he is wronged when 1any creature encroacheth upon his right. 1. You are his own by Creation? and did he give you Love to lay out on others, and deny it to himself? 2. He daily and hourly maintaineth you; he giveth you every breath and bit and mercy that you live upon, and will you love the creature with his part of your love. 3. How dearly hath he bought your Love in your Redemption? 4. He hath adopted you and brought you into the nearest relation to him that you may love him. 5. He hath pardoned all your sins and saved you from Hell (if you are his own) that you may Love him. 6. He hath promised you eternal glory with himself that you may Love him. 7 His excellency best deserveth your love. 8. His creatures have nothing but from him, and were purposely sent to bespeak your love for him rather than for themselves. And yet after all this shall they encroach upon his part? If you say, It is not Gods part that you give them, but their own; I tell you, All that Love which you give the creature above its due, you take from God. But if it be such a Love to the creature as exceedeth not its worth, and is intended ultimately for God, and maketh you not Love him the less but the more, it is not it that I am speaking against, or persuading you to mortify.
§. 16. Direct. 4. Still remember how jealous God is of your Love, and how much he is wronged when 1any creature encroacheth upon his right. 1. You are his own by Creation? and did he give you Love to lay out on others, and deny it to himself? 2. He daily and hourly maintaineth you; he giveth you every breath and bit and mercy that you live upon, and will you love the creature with his part of your love. 3. How dearly hath he bought your Love in your Redemption? 4. He hath adopted you and brought you into the nearest relation to him that you may love him. 5. He hath pardoned all your sins and saved you from Hell (if you are his own) that you may Love him. 6. He hath promised you eternal glory with himself that you may Love him. 7 His excellency best deserveth your love. 8. His creatures have nothing but from him, and were purposely sent to bespeak your love for him rather than for themselves. And yet after all this shall they encroach upon his part? If you say, It is not Gods part that you give them, but their own; I tell you, All that Love which you give the creature above its due, you take from God. But if it be such a Love to the creature as exceedeth not its worth, and is intended ultimately for God, and maketh you not Love him the less but the more, it is not it that I am speaking against, or perswading you to mortifie.