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 14: Direction 14. IN present performance of thy Covenant with God, away with thy former sin…

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.

[ Earlier:289–304 of 9,947

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§. 2. I know infirmities and imperfections will not be so easily cast off, but will cleave to thee in¹ thy best obedience, till the day of thy perfection come. But I speak of gross and wilful sin: such as thou canst forbear, if thou be but sincerely (though imperfectly) willing.

1Nae illi falsi sunt, qui diversissimas res pariter expectant, voluptatem & praemia virtutis? Sallust. Tenebit te Diabolus sub specie libertatis addictum, ut sit tibi liberum peccare, non vivere: Captivum te tenet author scelerum, compedes tibi libidmis impo•uit, & undique te sepsit armata custodiâ; Legem tibi dedit ut licitum putes omne quod non licet; & vivum te in aeternae mortis fov•am demersit. H•go Ether•anus de A•imar. regressa, cap. 9.Nae illi falsi sunt, qui diversissimas res pariter expectant, voluptatem & praemia virtutis? Salust. Tenebit te Diabolus sub specie libertatis addictum, ut sit tibi liberum peccare, non vivere: Captivum te tenet author scelerum, compedes tibi libidmis impo•uit, & undique te sepsit armata custodiâ; Legem tibi dedit ut licitum putes omne quod non licet; & vivum te in aeternae mortis fov•am demersit. H•go Ether•anus de A•imar. regressa, cap. 9.

:290p. 19

Hast thou been a profane Swearer or Curser, or used to take Gods name in vain, or used to backbiting, slandering, lying, or to ribald filthy talk: It is in thy power to forbear these sins, if thou be but willing: Say not, I fall into them through custom before I am aware: For that is a sign that thou art not sincerely willing to forsake them. If thou were truly penitent, and thy will sincerely opposite to these sins, thou wouldst be more tender and fearful to offend, and resolved against them, and make a greater matter of them, and abhor them, and not commit them, and say I did it before I was aware: No more than thou wouldst spit in the face of thy Father, or curse thy Mother, or slander thy dearest friend, or speak Treason against the King, and say, I did it through custom before I was aware. Sin will not be so played with by those that have been soundly humbled for it, and resolved against it.

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A Christian Directory

Direction 15. IF thou have sincerely given up thy self to God, and consented to his Covenant, show it¹ by turning the face of thy endeavours and conversation quite another way, and by seeking Heaven more fervently and diligently, than ever thou soughtest the world, or fleshly pleasures.

Direction 15. IF thou have sincerely given up thy self to God, and consented to his Covenant, shew it¹ by turning the face of thy endeavours and conversation quite another way, and by seeking Heaven more fervently and diligently, than ever thou soughtest the world, or fleshly pleasures.

Direction 16. Engage thy self in the cheerful constant use, of the means and helps appointed by God,¹ for thy confirmation and salvation.

Direction 16. ENgage thy self in the chearful constant use, of the means and helps appointed by God,¹ for thy confirmation and salvation.

Transcription key

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

Direction 15. IF thou have sincerely given up thy self to God, and consented to his Covenant, show it1 by turning the face of thy endeavours and conversation quite another way, and by seeking Heaven more fervently and diligently, than ever thou soughtest the world, or fleshly pleasures.

Direction 15. IF thou have sincerely given up thy self to God, and consented to his Covenant, shew it1 by turning the face of thy endeavours and conversation quite another way, and by seeking Heaven more fervently and diligently, than ever thou soughtest the world, or fleshly pleasures.

Direction 16. Engage thy self in the cheerful constant use, of the means and helps appointed by God,1 for thy confirmation and salvation.

Direction 16. ENgage thy self in the chearful constant use, of the means and helps appointed by God,1 for thy confirmation and salvation.

Transcription key

Direction 15. IF thou have sincerely given up thy self to God, and consented to his Covenant, show it¹ by turning the face of thy endeavours and conversation quite another way, and by seeking Heaven more fervently and diligently, than ever thou soughtest the world, or fleshly pleasures.

Direction 15. IF thou have sincerely given up thy self to God, and consented to his Covenant, shew it¹ by turning the face of thy endeavours and conversation quite another way, and by seeking Heaven more fervently and diligently, than ever thou soughtest the world, or fleshly pleasures.

Direction 16. Engage thy self in the cheerful constant use, of the means and helps appointed by God,¹ for thy confirmation and salvation.

Direction 16. ENgage thy self in the chearful constant use, of the means and helps appointed by God,¹ for thy confirmation and salvation.