A26892:5730
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.
Part 3 › Chapter 10: Directions about our Communion with Holy Souls Departed, and now with Christ.
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.
§. 6. Direct. 6. Look up to the blessedness of departed souls, as members of the same body, rejoicing 1with them, and praising God that hath so exalted them. This, is the benefit of holy Love, and Christian Unity, that it maketh our brethren's happiness to be unto us, in a manner as if it were our own. 1 Cor. 12. 25, 26. That there should be no schism in the Body, but that the members should have the same care one for another—that if one member be honoured all the members rejoice with it. So far as selfishness is overcome, and turned into the Uniting Love of Saints, so far are all the joys of the blessed souls in Heaven, become the joys of all that truly Love them upon earth. How happy then is the state of all true believers, that have so many to rejoice with? Deny not God that Thanks for the saving of so many souls, which you would not deny him, if he saved but your friends, estates or lives. Especially when afflictions or temptations would deprive you of the Joy which you should have in Gods mercies to your selves, then comfort your selves with the remembrance of your brethren's Joy. What an incongruous undecent thing is it for that man to pine away in sorrows upon earth, who hath so many thousand friends in Heaven, in joy and blessedness, whose Joys should all be to him as his own?—
§. 6. Direct. 6. Look up to the blessedness of departed souls, as members of the same body, rejoycing 1with them, and praising God that hath so exalted them. This, is the benefit of holy Love, and Christian Unity, that it maketh our brethrens happiness to be unto us, in a manner as if it were our own. 1 Cor. 12. 25, 26. That there should be no schism in the Body, but that the members should have the same care one for another—that if one member be honoured all the members rejoice with it. So far as selfishness is overcome, and turned into the Uniting Love of Saints, so far are all the joyes of the blessed souls in Heaven, become the joyes of all that truly Love them upon earth. How happy then is the state of all true believers, that have so many to rejoice with? Deny not God that Thanks for the saving of so many souls, which you would not deny him, if he saved but your friends, estates or lives. Especially when afflictions or temptations would deprive you of the Ioy which you should have in Gods mercies to your selves, then comfort your selves with the remembrance of your brethrens Ioy. What an incongruous undecent thing is it for that man to pine away in sorrows upon earth, who hath so many thousand friends in Heaven, in joy and blessedness, whose Ioyes should all be to him as his own?—