A26892:5743
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.
§. 19. Direct. 19. When you would duly value all your present means and mercies, and see whither 1they tend, look up then to the souls with Christ, and see whither the like mercy hath conducted them. The poorest Cottage and the hardest fare are great mercies as they tend to endless blessedness. This now and Heaven after, is great; though the thing in it self be never so small. Heaven puts the value and signification upon all your mercies: The wicked make Cyphers of their greatest blessings, by separating them in their esteem and use, from God and Heaven, which is the measure of their estimate.
- 1Direct. 19.
§. 20. Direct. 20. When you see Divisions among believers, and hear one for this party, and another 1for that, and hear them bitterly censuring each other, look up then to the Saints with Christ, and think what perfect Love and Peace and Concord i• among them. Consider how unlike our factions and Schisms are to their fervent Love and Unity? And how how unlike our jarring strifes and quarrels are to their harmonious Praise of God. Remember in what work it is that they are so happily united, even Love and Praise unceasing to Jehovah: And then think, whether it would not unite the Saints on earth, to lay by their contendings for the preeminence in knowledge, (covered with the gilded name of Zeal for the Truth of God), and to employ themselves in Love and Praise, and to show their emulation here, in striving who shall Love God and each other with the more pure heart and fervent Love, 1 Pet. 1. 22. and who shall Praise him with the most heavenly alacrity and delight. Consider whether this work of blessed souls be not like to be more desirable and excellent, than the work of self-conceited wrangling Sophisters? And whether there be any danger of falling into Sects and Factions or falling out by emulations or contentions, while we make this work of Love and Praise the matter of our religious converse? And consider whether almost all the Schisms that ever vexed the Church of God, did not arise, either by the Pastors striving who should be the greatest, (