A26892:485
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.
§. 3. 2. And God himself will have his servants and his graces tried and exercised by difficulties: He never intended us the Reward for sitting still; nor the Crown of Victory, without a fight; nor a •ight without an enemy and opposition. Innocent Adam was unfit for his state of Confirmation and reward, till he had been tried by temptation. Therefore the Martyrs have the most glorious Crown, as having undergone the greatest trial. And shall we presume to murmur at the Method of God?
§. 3. 2. And God himself will have his servants and his graces tryed and exercised by difficulties: He never intended us the Reward for sitting still; nor the Crown of Victory, without a fight; nor a •ight without an enemy and opposition. Innocent Adam was unfit for his state of Confirmation and reward, till he had been tryed by temptation. Therefore the Martyrs have the most glorious Crown, as having undergone the greatest tryal. And shall we presume to murmur at the Method of God?
§. 4. 3. And Satan having liberty to tempt and try us, will quickly raise up Storms and Waves, before us, as soon as we are set to Sea, which make young beginners often fear, that they shall never live to reach the Haven. He will show thee the greatness of thy former sins, to persuade thee that they shall not be pardoned. He will show thee the strength of thy passions and corruptions, to make thee think they will never be overcome: He will show thee the greatness of the opposition and suffering which thou art like to undergo, to make thee think thou shalt never persevere. He will do his worst to meet thee with poverty, losses, crosses, injuries, vexations, persecutions and cruelties, yea, and unkindness from thy dearest friends, as he did by Job, to make thee think ill of God, or of his service. If he can, he will make them thy enemies that are of thine own household. He will stir up thy own Father, or Mother, or Husband, or Wife, or Brother, or Sister, or Children against thee, to persuade or persecute thee from Christ: Therefore Christ tells us, that if we hate not all these, that1