A26892:6364
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.
4. It is certain that Infants before they are Glorified, shall have all that Grace that is prerequisite to their preparation and fruition.
5. No sanctified person on earth is in an Immediate capacity for Glory: Because their sin and imperfection must be done away, which is done at the dissolution of soul and body. The very accession of the soul to God doth perfect it.
6. Infants have no actual faith or hope or Love to God to exercise; And therefore need not the influence of the spirit of Christ to exercise them.
7. We are all so very much in the dark, as to the clear and distinct apprehension of the true nature of Original inherent pravity or sin, that we must needs be as much ignorant of the true nature of that Inherent sanctity or Righteousness which is its contrary, or cur•. Learned Illirious thought it was a Substance, which he hath in his Clavis pleaded for at large. Others call it a Habit, Others a nature, or natural Inclination and a privation of a Natural Inclination to God: Others call it an Indisposition of the mind and will, to holy Truth and Goodness, and an Ill disposition of them to error and evil. Others call it only the Inordinate Lust of the sensitive faculties, with a debility of Reason and Will to resist it. And whilst the nature of the soul it self and its faculties, are so much unknown to it self, the nature of Original pravity and Righteousness must needs be very much unknown.