A26892:6340
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. It must be carefully noted, that the Relative Union between Christ the Mediator and the baptized persons, is that which in Baptism is first given in order of nature, and that the rest do flow from this. The Covenant and Baptism deliver the Covenanter 1. From Divine Displicency by Reconciliation with the Father, 2. From Legal Penalties by Justification by the Son; 3. From sin it self by the operations of the Holy Ghost. But it is Christ as our Mediator-Head, that is first given us in Relative Union: And then, 1. The Father▪Loveth us with Complacency as in the Son, and for the sake of his first beloved. 2. And the Spirit which is given us in Relation is first the Spirit of Christ our 1Head; and not first inherent in us: So that by Union with our Head, that Spirit is next united to us, both Relatively, and as Radically Inherent in the Humane Nature of our Lord, to whom we are united. As the Nerves and Animal Spirits which are to operate in all the body, are Radically only in the Head, from whence they flow into, and operate on the members as there is need (though there may be obstructions); So the Spirit dwelleth in the Humane Nature of our Head; and there it can never be lost; And it is not necessary that it dwell in us by way of Radication, but by way of Influence and Operation.
- 1The Spirit is not given radically or immediately to any Christian, but to Christ our Head alone, and from Him to us.
These things are distinctly and clearly understood but by very few; and we are all much in the dark about them. But I think (however doctrinally we may speak better,) that most Christians are habituated to this perilous misapprehension (which is partly against Christianity it self,) that the Spirit floweth immediately from the Divine Nature of the Father and the Son (as to the Authoritative or Potestative conveyance) unto our souls. And we forget that it is first given to Christ in his Glorified Humanity as our Head, and radicated in Him, and that it is the Office of this Glorified Head, to send or communicate to all his members from Himself, that Spirit which must operate in them as they have need.