A26892:641
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.
DIRECT. II. Diligently labour in that part of the life of faith, which consisteth in the constant1 use of Christ, as the Means of the souls access to God, acceptance with him, and comfort from him: And think not of coming to the Father, but by him.
- 1[…]〈…〉
§. 1. TO talk and boast of Christ is easy, and to use him for the increase of our carnal security, and boldness in sinning: But to live in the daily Use of Christ to those Ends of his Office, to which he is by us to be made use of, is a matter of greater skill and diligence, than many self[…] Professors are aware of. What Christ himself hath done, or will do, for our salvation, is •••• directly the thing that we are now considering of; but what Use he requireth us to make of him1 in the life of saith. He hath told us, that his flesh is meat indeed, and his blood is drink indeed; and that except we eat his flesh and drink his blood, we have no life in us. Here is our Use of Christ expressed by eating and drinking his flesh and blood, which is by faith. The General parts of the work of Redemption, Christ hath himself performed for us, without asking our Consent, or imposing upon us any Condition on our parts, without which he would not do that work: As the Sun doth illustrate and warm the earth whether it will or not, and as the Rain falleth on the Grass without asking whether it consent, or will be thankful; so Christ without our consent or knowledge, did take our nature, and fulfil the Law, and satisfy the offended Law-giver, and Merit grace, and conqu•• Satan, Death and Hell, and became the Glorified Lord of all: But for the exercise of his graces in us, and our advancement to communion with God, and our living in the strength and joys of faith, he is himself the Object of our Duty, even of that Faith which we must daily and diligently exercise upon him: And thus Christ will profit us no further than we make Use of him by faith. It is not a forgotten Christ that objectively comforteth or encourageth the soul; but a Christ believed in, and skilfully and faithfully Used to that end. It is Objectively (principally) that Christ is called Our wisdom,