A26892:487
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.
1. God is on your side, who hath all your enemies in his hand, and can rebuke them, or destroy them in a moment. O what is the breath or fury, of dust or Devils against the Lord Almighty? If God be for us, who shall be against us? Rom. 8. 32, 33. Read often that Chapter, Rom. 8. In the day when thou didst enter into Covenant with God, and he with thee, thou didst enter into the most impregnable Rock and Fortress, and house thy self in that Castle of defence, where thou mayest (modestly) defy all adverse powers of Earth or Hell. If God cannot save thee, he is not God. And if he will not save thee, he must break his Covenant. Indeed he may resolve to save thee, not from affliction and persecution, but in it and by it. But in all these sufferings you will be more than Conquerors, through Christ that loveth you: that is, It is far more desirable and excellent to conquer by patience in suffering for Christ, than to conquer our Persecutors in the field by force of arms. O think on the Saints triumphant boastings in their God. Psal. 46. 1, 2, 3. God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble: therefore will we not fear though the earth be removed; and though the Mountains be carried into the midst of the Sea—Psal. 56. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. When his enemies were many, and wrested his words daily, and fought against him, and all their thoughts were against him, yet he saith, What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee: In God will I praise his word: In God have I put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. Remember Christs charge, Luke 12. 4. Fear not them that can kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do: But I will fore-warn you whom you shall fear: Fear him which after he hath killed, hath power to cast into Hell; yea, I say unto you, fear him. If all the world were on thy side, thou might yet have cause to fear, but to have God on thy side, is infinitely more.
1. God is on your side, who hath all your enemies in his hand, and can rebuke them, or destroy them in a moment. O what is the breath or fury, of dust or Devils against the Lord Almighty? If God be for us, who shall be against us?