A26892:339
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.
§. 4. Tempt. 2. If Satan cannot keep the soul in a sleepy, careless, inconsiderate forgetfulness, he would 1make the unregenerate soul believe that there is no such thing as Regenerating Grace; but that it is a fancied thing, which no man hath experience of, and he saith as Nicodemus, How can these things be?2 He thinks that natural conscience is enough.
- 1Tempt. 2.
- 2John 3. 4.
§. 5. Direct. 2. But this may be easily refuted by observing, that Holiness is but the very Health and1 rectitude of the soul; and is no otherwise supernatural, than as Health to him that is born a Leper.2 It is the rectitude of Nature, or its disposition to the use and end that it was made for. Though Grace be called supernatural, 1. Because it is not born with us; and 2. Corrupted Nature is against it; 3. And the End of it is the God of Nature, who is above Nature: 4. And the Revelation and other means are supernatural (as Christs incarnation, resurrection, &c.) Yet both Nature, and Scripture and experience tell you, that man is made for another life, and for such works which he is utterly unfit for, till Grace have changed and renewed him, as it doth by many before your eyes.