A26892:650
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.
§. 5. 2. It is also a great impediment to the soul in its approach to God, that Infinite distance disableth us to conceive of him aright: We say as Elihu, Job 36. 26. Behold, God is great, and we know him not. And indeed it is impossible that mortal man should have any adequate apprehensions of his Fssence. But in his Son he hath come down to us, and showed himself in the clearest Glass that ever did reveal him: Think of him therefore as he appeared in our flesh: As he showed himself in his Holiness and Goodness to the world. You may have positive thoughts of Jesus Christ: Though you may not think that the Godhead was flesh, yet may you think of it as it appeared in flesh. It may quiet the understanding to conceive of God as incarnate, and to know that we cannot yet know him as he is, or have any adequate conceptions of him: These may delight us till we reach to more.
§. 5. 2. It is also a great impediment to the soul in its approach to God, that Infinite distance disableth us to conceive of him aright: We say as Elihu, Job 36. 26. Behold, God is great, and we know him not. And indeed it is impossible that mortal man should have any adequate apprehensions of his Fssence. But in his Son he hath come down to us, and shewed himself in the clearest Glass that ever did reveal him: Think of him therefore as he appeared in our flesh: As he shewed himself in his Holiness and Goodness to the world. You may have positive thoughts of Iesus Christ: Though you may not think that the Godhead was flesh, yet may you think of it as it appeared in flesh. It may quiet the understanding to conceive of God as incarnate, and to know that we cannot yet know him as he is, or have any adequate conceptions of him: These may delight us till we reach to more.
§. 6. 3. It hindereth the souls approach to God, when the Infinite distance makes us think that God will not regard or take notice of such contemptible worms as we: we are ready to think that he is too high for our converse or delight. In this case the soul hath no such remedy, as to look to Christ, and see how the Father hath regarded us, and set his heart upon us, and sent his Son to seek and save us: O wonderful astonishing condescension of Eternal Love! Believe that God assumed flesh to make himself familiar with man; and you can never question whether he regard us, or will hold communion with us.