A26892:548
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.
§. 2. As long as a man conceiveth of Religion as it is, even the most sweet and delectable life, so long he will follow it willingly and with his heart, and despise the temptations and avocations of fleshly gain and pleasure: He will be sincere, as not being only drawn by other men, or outward advantages, nor frightened into it by a passion of fearfulness, but loving Religion for it self, and for its excellent ends: And then he will be cheerful in all the duties, and under all the sufferings and difficulties of it: And he will be most likely to persevere unto the end. We cannot expect that the Heart or Will should be any more for God and Godliness, than the Understanding practically apprehendeth them as Good. Nay, we must always perceive in them a transcendent Goodness, above all that is to be found in a worldly life: Or else the appearing Goodness of the Creature, will divert us and carry away our minds: We may see in the very Brutes, what a power apprehension hath upon their actions. If your Horse be but going to his home or pasture, how freely will he go through thick and thin? but if he go unwillingly, his travel is troublesome and slow, and you have much ado to get him on. It will be so with you in your way to Heaven.
§. 2. As long as a man conceiveth of Religion as it is, even the most sweet and delectable life, so long he will follow it willingly and with his heart, and despise the temptations and avocations of fl•shly gain and pleasure: He will be sincere, as not being only drawn by other men, or outward advantages, nor frightned into it by a passion of fearfulness, but loving Religion for it self, and for its excellent ends: And then he will be chearful in all the duties, and under all the sufferings and difficulties of it: And he will be most likely to persevere unto the end. We cannot expect that the Heart or Will should be any more for God and Godliness, than the Understanding practically apprehendeth them as Good. Nay, we must alwayes perceive in them a transcendent Goodness, above all that is to be found in a worldly life: Or else the appearing Goodness of the Creature, will divert us and carry away our minds: We may see in the very Brutes, what a power apprehension hath upon their actions. If your Horse be but going to his home or pasture, how freely will he go through thick and thin? but if he go unwillingly, his travell is troublesome and slow, and you have much ado to get him on. It will be so with you in your way to Heaven.