A26892:486
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. 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 is, cannot forsake them, and use them as men do hated things, when they would turn us from him, we cannot be his Disciples, Luke 14. 26. Matth. 10. Look for the worst that the Devil can do against thee, if thou hast once lifted thy self against him, in the Army of Christ, and resolvest what ever it co•• thee to be saved. Read Heb. 11. But how little cause you have to be discouraged, though Earth and Hell should do their worst, you may perceive by these few Considerations.
§. 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 shew thee the greatness of thy former sins, to perswade thee that they shall not be pardoned. He will shew thee the strength of thy passions and corruptions, to make thee think they will never be overcome: He will shew 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 Iob, 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 houshold. He will stir up thy own Father, or Mother, or Husband, or Wife, or Brother, or Sister, or Children against thee, to perswade or persecute thee from Christ: Therefore Christ tells us, that if we hate not all these, that