A26892:2542
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.
Part 1 › Chapter 7 › Tit. 3. Directions against sinful Desires and Discontent.
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. Observe how your eager Desires are condemned by your selves in your daily prayers, 1or else they make your prayers themselves condemnable: If you pray that the will of God may be done, why do your wills rebel against it, and your desires contradict your prayers? And if you ask no more than your daily bread; why thirst you after more? But if you pray as you desire, Lord let my will be done, and my selfish carnal desire be fulfilled, for I must needs have this or that, then what an abominable Prayer is this? Desire as you must Pray.
§. 8. Direct. 6. Observe how your eager Desires are condemned by your selves in your daily prayers, 1or else they make your prayers themselves condemnable: If you pray that the will of God may be done, why do your wills rebell against it, and your desires contradict your prayers? And if you ask no more than your daily bread; why thirst you after more? But if you pray as you desire, Lord let my will be done, and my selfish carnal desire be fulfilled, for I must needs have this or that, then what an abominable Prayer is this? Desire as you must Pray.
- 1Direct. 6.
§. 9. Direct. 7. Remember what Covenant you have made with God, that you renounced the world 1and the flesh, and took him for your Lord and King and Father, and yielded up your selves as his own, as his Subject and as his Child, to be disposed of, Ruled, and provided for by him: And this Covenant is essential not only to your Christianity but to your taking him for your God. And do you repent of it? or will you break it, and forfeit all the benefits of the Covenant? If you will needs have the disposal of your selves, you discharge God of his Covenant and Fatherly care for you: and then what will become of you, if he so forsake you?