A26892:502
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.
§. 5. Alas, how apt are the best to cool, if they be not kept warm by a powerful Ministry? How apt to lose the hatred of sin, the tenderness of conscience, the fervency in prayer, the zeal and fullness in edifying discourse, and the delights and power of heavenly Meditations, which before we had? How apt is faith to stagger if it be not powerfully underpropped by the helpers of our faith? How hardly do we keep up the heat of Love, the confidence of Hope, the resolution and fullness of obedience, without the help of a powerful Ministry? Nay, how hardly do we do our part in these, in any tolerable sort, even while we have the clearest liveliest helps, that are ordinarily to be had? And can any that are not blind and proud, imagine that they are so holy and good, that they are above the necessity of such assistance, and that the weakest breath is enough to kindle the fire of holy Love and •eal, and keep them in the fear and obedience of God? Alas, we are under languishing weakness, and must be dieted with the best, or we shall soon decay: we are Cripples, and cannot go or stand without our Crutches? And there must be some savour of the Spirit in him that will be fit to make us spiritual, and some savour of faith and love in him, that would kindle faith and love in us: and he must speak clearly and convincingly that will be understood, and will prevail with such as we; And he must speak feelingly, that would make us feel, and speak seriously, that would be much regarded by us, and would make us serious.
§. 5. Alas, how apt are the best to cool, if they be not kept warm by a powerful Ministry? How apt to lose the hatred of sin, the tenderness of conscience, the fervency in prayer, the zeal and fulness in edifying discourse, and the delights and power of heavenly Meditations, which before we had? How apt is faith to stagger if it be not powerfully underpropt by the helpers of our faith? How hardly do we keep up the heat of Love, the confidence of Hope, the resolution and fulness of obedience, without the help of a powerful Ministry? Nay, how hardly do we do our part in these, in any tolerable sort, even while we have the clearest liveliest helps, that are ordinarily to be had? And can any that are not blind and proud, imagine that they are so holy and good, that they are above the necessity of such assistance, and that the weakest breath is enough to kindle the fire of holy Love and •eal, and keep them in the fear and obedience of God? Alas, we are under languishing weakness, and must be dye••ed with the best, or we shall soon decay: we are Cripples, and cannot go or stand without our Crutches? And there must be some savour of the Spirit in him that will be fit to make us spiritual, and some savour of faith and love in him, that would kindle faith and love in us: and he must speak clearly and convincingly that will be understood, and will prevail with such as we; And he must speak feelingly, that would make us feel, and speak seriously, that would be much regarded by us, and would make us serious.