A26892:353
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.
§. 18. Tempt. 9. No man can be certain of his salvation: but all must hope well: and to raise 1doubts in mens hearts, whether they shall be saved or no, will not help them, but puzzle them and cast them into despair.
§. 18. Tempt. 9. No man can be certain of his salvation: but all must hope well: and to raise 1d•ubts in mens hearts, whether they shall be saved or no, will not help them, but puzzle them and cast them into despair.
- 1Tempt. 9.
§. 19. Direct. 9. But is there so little difference between a child of God and of the Devil, and between1 the way to Heaven and the way to Hell, that they cannot be known asunder? Hath not Christ taught us plainly how to know them? Psal. 1. & 15. 1 John. 3. and bid us give diligence to make our calling and election sure? 2 Pet. 1. 10. If all men must hope that they shall be saved, then most must hope for that, which they shall never have: But it is no hope of Gods making, which deceiveth men. Should so great a matter as our everlasting joy or misery, be cast out of our Care, and ventured so regardlessly in the dark? When it is it that we have life, and time, and all for, to make it sure? And what hurt can it do you, to find out the truth of your own condition? If you are indeed unregenerate and unholy, discover it now in time, and you have time to be recovered: You must despair of being saved without conversion: But that preventeth absolute final despair. Whereas if you find not out your case till time is past, then hope is past, and the Devil hath you in endless desperation, where he would.