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 2 › Direction 4: Direct. 4. Begin not too early with Controversies in Religion: and when you come to the…Part 1 › Chapter 2 › Direction 4: Direct. 4. BEgin not too early with Controversies in Religion: and when you come to the…

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:453–468 of 9,947

:453p. 40–41

§. 3. III. The Essential necessary Truths of your Religion, must imprint the Image of God upon your hearts, and must dwell there continually, and you must live upon them as your bread, and drink, and daily necessary food: All other points must be studied in subserviency to those: All lesser duties must be used as the exercise of the Love of God or man, and of a humble heavenly mind. The Articles of your Creed, and points of Catechism, are fountains ever running, affording you matter for the continual exercise of Grace: It is both plentiful and solid nourishment to the soul, which these great substantial points afford. To know God the Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier, the Laws and ⟨p. 41⟩Covenant of God, and his Judgement, and Rewards and Punishments, with the parts and method of the Lords Prayer, which must be the daily exercise of our desires, and Love, this is the Wisdom of a Christian; and in these must he be continually exercised.

:454p. 41

You'll say perhaps that the Apostle saith, Heb. 6. 1. Leaving the Principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, &c.

You'l say perhaps that the Apostle saith, Heb. 6. 1. Leaving the Principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, &c.

:455p. 41

Answ. 1. By [leaving] he meaneth not passing over the practice of them as men that have done with them, and are past them: But his leaving at that time to discourse of them, or his supposing them taught already: Though he lay not the foundation again, yet he doth not pluck it up. 2. By [Principles] he meaneth the first points to be taught, and learnt, and practised: And indeed Regeneration and Baptism is not to be done again: But the Essentials of Religion which I am speaking of, contain much more: especially to live in the love of God, which Paul calls the more excellent way,

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A Christian Directory

Direct. 5. BE very thankful for the great mercy of your Conversion: but yet overvalue not your¹ first degrees of knowledge or holiness: but remember that you are yet but in your infancy, and must expect your growth and ripeness as the consequent of Time and Diligence.

Transcription key

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

Direct. 5. BE very thankful for the great mercy of your Conversion: but yet overvalue not your1 first degrees of knowledge or holiness: but remember that you are yet but in your infancy, and must expect your growth and ripeness as the consequent of Time and Diligence.

Transcription key

Direct. 5. BE very thankful for the great mercy of your Conversion: but yet overvalue not your¹ first degrees of knowledge or holiness: but remember that you are yet but in your infancy, and must expect your growth and ripeness as the consequent of Time and Diligence.