A26892:384
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.
§. 48. Tempt. 24. Another way of the Tempter is, to draw men to take up with mere Convictions,1 instead of true Conversion: when they have but learnt that it is Necessary to salvation, to be Regenerate, and have the Spirit of Christ, they are as quiet, as if this were indeed to be regenerate, and to have the Spirit: As some think they have attained to perfection, when they have but received the opinion that perfection may here be had; so abundance think they have sanctification and forgiveness, because now they see that they must be had, and without sanctification there is no salvation: And thus the knowledge of all Grace and Duty shall go with them for the grace and duty it self; and their judgement of the thing, instead of the possession of it: and instead of having grace, they force themselves to believe that they have it.
§. 48. Tempt. 24. Another way of the Tempter is, to draw men to take up with meer Convictions,1 instead of true Conversion: when they have but learnt that it is Necessary to salvation, to be Regenerate, and have the Spirit of Christ, they are as quiet, as if this were indeed to be regenerate, and to have the Spirit: As some think they have attained to perfection, when they have but received the opinion that perfection may here be had; so abundance think they have sanctification and forgiveness, because now they see that they must be had, and without sanctification there is no salvation: And thus the knowledge of all Grace and Duty shall go with them for the grace and duty it self; and their judgement of the thing, instead of the possession of it: and instead of having grace, they force themselves to believe that they have it.
- 1Tempt. 24.
§. 49. Direct. 24. But remember God will not be mocked: He knoweth a convinced head from1