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,I. CHRISTIAN ETHICS (or private Duties.)II. CHRISTIAN OECONOMICKS (or Family Duties.)III. CHRISTIAN ECCLESIASTICS (or Church Duties.)IV. CHRISTIAN POLITICS (or Duties to our Rulers and Neighbours.)By RICHARD BAXTER.Mal. 2. 7▪ 8.The Priests lips should keep Knowledge, and they should seek the Law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts. But ye are departed out of the way: Ye have Caused many to stumble at the Law; ye have corrupted the Covenant of Levi—Matth. 13. 52.Every SCRIBE which is instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven, is like unto a man that is an Householder, which bringeth forth out of his Treasure things New and Old.Heb. 5. 13, 14.For every one that useth Milk is unskilful in the Word of Righteousness: for he is a Babe: But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age: Those who by reason of USE, have their senses exercised to discern both Good and Evil.2 Tim. 2. 14, 15, 16.Of these things put them in remembrance; charging them before God, that they STRIVE not about WORDS, to no profit, but to the subverting of the Hearers: Study to show thy self approved UNTO GOD, a Workman that needeth not to be ashamed, RIGHTLY DIVIDING the word of Truth. But shun profane and vain Babblings; for they will increase unto more Ungodliness, and their Word will eat as doth a Canker.2 Pet. 3. 16.In which (Pauls Epistles) are some things hard to be understood: which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures to their own destruction.LONDON, Printed, by Robert White, for Nevill Simmons, at the Sign of the Princes Arms in St. Pauls Church-yard. 1673.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,I. CHRISTIAN ETHICKS (or private Duties.)II. CHRISTIAN OECONOMICKS (or Family Duties.)III. CHRISTIAN ECCLESIASTICKS (or Church Duties.)IV. CHRISTIAN POLITICKS (or Duties to our Rulers and Neighbours.)By RICHARD BAXTER.Mal. 2. 7▪ 8.The Priests lips should keep Knowledge, and they should seek the Law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts. But ye are departed out of the way: Ye have Caused many to stumble at the Law; ye have corrupted the Covenant of Levi—Matth. 13. 52.Every SCRIBE which is instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven, is like unto a man that is an Housholder, which bringeth forth out of his Treasure things New and Old.Heb. 5. 13, 14.For every one that useth Milk is unskilful in the Word of Righteousness: for he is a Babe: But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age: Those who by reason of USE, have their senses exercised to discern both Good and Evil.2 Tim. 2. 14, 15, 16.Of these things put them in remembrance; charging them before God, that they STRIVE not aboutTitle page of A Christian Directory, London, 1673

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A Christian Directory

Name: A Christian Directory
Author: Richard Baxter

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.

Richard Baxter 1615–1691London: printed by Robert White for Nevill Simmons, 1673

[35], 929, [5], 214 p., [1] leaf of plates : port. · 1.2M words · Wing B1219 · ESTC R21847

Title page typeset from the transcription.

Part 1 › Chapter 1 › Part 1 › Direction 9: Direction 9. When you have found your selves in a state of sin and death, Understand an…Part 1 › Chapter 1 › Part 1 › Direction 9: Direction 9. WHen you have found your selves in a state of sin and death, Understand an…

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.

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§. 7. 7. While you are unsanctified, you are impotent and dead to any holy acceptable work: when you should redeem your time, and prepare for eternity, and try your states, or pray, or meditate, or do good to others, you have no heart to any such spiritual works: your minds are biassed against them. Rom. 8. 7. And it is not the excusable impotency of such, as would do good, but cannot: but it is the malicious impotency of the wicked, (the same with that of Devils) that cannot do good, because they will not; and will not because they have blind malicious and ungodly hearts, which makes their sin so much the greater. Tit. 1. 16.

§. 7. 7. While you are unsanctified, you are impotent and dead to any holy acceptable work: when you should redeem your time, and prepare for eternity, and try your states, or pray, or meditate, or do good to others, you have no heart to any such spiritual works: your minds are byassed against them. Rom. 8. 7. And it is not the excusable impotency of such, as would do good, but cannot: but it is the malicious impotency of the wicked, (the same with that of Devils) that cannot do good, because they will not; and will not because they have blind malicious and ungodly hearts, which makes their sin so much the greater. Tit. 1. 16.

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§. 8. 8. While you have unsanctified hearts, you have at all times the seed and disposition unto every sin: And if you commit not the worst, it is because some providence restraining the Tempter hindereth you: No thanks to you that you do not daily commit Idolatry, Blasphemy, Theft, Murder, Adultery, &c. It is in your hearts to do it, when you have but temptation and opportunity: and will be till you are renewed by sanctifying Grace.

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[ Earlier passages Later passages ]

A Christian Directory

Direction 10. When you have found out how sad a condition you are in, consider what there is in¹ sin to make you amends or repair your loss, that should be any hinderance to your Conversion.

Direction 10. WHen you have found out how sad a condition you are in, consider what there is in¹ sin to make you amends or repair your loss, that should be any hinderance to your Conversion.

Direction 11. And when you are casting up your account, as you put all that sin and the world¹ will do for you in the one end of the scales, so put into the other the Comforts both of this life, and of that to come, which you must part with for your sins.

Direction 11. ANd when you are casting up your account, as you put all that sin and the world¹ will do for you in the one end of the scales, so put into the other the Comforts both of this life, and of that to come, which you must part with for your sins.

Direction 12. When you have thus considered of the condition you are in, consider also whether¹ it be a condition to be rested in one day.

Direction 12. WHen you have thus considered of the condition you are in, consider also whether¹ it be a condition to be rested in one day.

Direction 13. When thou art Resolved, past thy waverings and delays, give up thy self entirely and¹ unreservedly to God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, as thy Happiness, thy Saviour and thy Sanctifier, in an hearty Consent to the Covenant of Grace.

Direction 13. WHen thou art Resolved, past thy waverings and delayes, give up thy self entirely and¹ unreservedly to God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, as thy Happiness, thy Saviour and thy Sanctifier, in an hearty Consent to the Covenant of Grace.

Direction 14. IN present performance of thy Covenant with God, away with thy former sinful life; and¹ see that thou sin wilfully no more; but as far as thou art able, avoid the temptations which have deceived thee.

Transcription key

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

Direction 10. When you have found out how sad a condition you are in, consider what there is in1 sin to make you amends or repair your loss, that should be any hinderance to your Conversion.

Direction 10. WHen you have found out how sad a condition you are in, consider what there is in1 sin to make you amends or repair your loss, that should be any hinderance to your Conversion.

Direction 11. And when you are casting up your account, as you put all that sin and the world1 will do for you in the one end of the scales, so put into the other the Comforts both of this life, and of that to come, which you must part with for your sins.

Direction 11. ANd when you are casting up your account, as you put all that sin and the world1 will do for you in the one end of the scales, so put into the other the Comforts both of this life, and of that to come, which you must part with for your sins.

Direction 12. When you have thus considered of the condition you are in, consider also whether1 it be a condition to be rested in one day.

Direction 12. WHen you have thus considered of the condition you are in, consider also whether1 it be a condition to be rested in one day.

Direction 13. When thou art Resolved, past thy waverings and delays, give up thy self entirely and1 unreservedly to God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, as thy Happiness, thy Saviour and thy Sanctifier, in an hearty Consent to the Covenant of Grace.

Direction 13. WHen thou art Resolved, past thy waverings and delayes, give up thy self entirely and1 unreservedly to God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, as thy Happiness, thy Saviour and thy Sanctifier, in an hearty Consent to the Covenant of Grace.

Direction 14. IN present performance of thy Covenant with God, away with thy former sinful life; and1 see that thou sin wilfully no more; but as far as thou art able, avoid the temptations which have deceived thee.