A26892:654
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.
§. 9. 6. The infirmities also of our souls in duty, are ofttimes a great discouragement to us, in our approaches to the Most Holy Jealous God: To find so little knowledge of God, so little Love to him, such cold desires, such wandering and distracted thoughts, such dull requests: It is hard to have lively and thankful apprehensions, of Gods acceptance of such defective, lame meditations or prayers: But we are apt to think that he will abhor both them and us, and that he can take no pleasure in them, yea, that it is as good not pray at all. Here faith hath full relief in Christ: Two things it can say from him to encourage the fearful soul: 1. That our Acceptance with the Father is through the merits of his Son: And he is worthy, though we are unworthy. If we have but the worthiness of Faith, and Repentance, and sincere Desire, Christ hath the worthiness of perfect holiness and obedience for us. We go not to the Father in our own names, but in his: And whatever we ask the Father in the name of Christ according to his will, he will give it us: Joh. 16. 23. & 14. 13. & 15. 16. 2. That all the infirmities of our souls and services are forgiven us through Christ: He hath undertaken to answer for them all, and to justify us from all such accusations. By faith thou mayest, as it were, hear Christ thus speaking for thine encouragement: [Go boldly, poor sinner, into my Fathers presence: Fear not the guilt of thy sins, or the imperfection of thy prayers; as long as thou truly Repentest of them, and Desirest to be delivered from them, and Trustest in me, I am thy worthiness; my Righteousness is perfect without spot; I have taken all thy faults and failings upon me: I have undertaken to answer for all the imperfections of thy holy things: Sincerity is thy endowment; Perfection is mine: Trust me in the performance of the trust which I have undertaken.]
§. 9. 6. The infirmities also of our souls in duty, are ofttimes a great discouragement to us, in our approaches to the Most Holy Jealous God: To find so little knowledge of God, so little Love to him, such cold desires, such wandering and distracted thoughts, such dull requests: It is hard to have lively and thankful apprehensions, of Gods acceptance of such defective, lame meditations or prayers: But we are apt to think that he will abhor both them and us, and that he can take no pleasure in them, yea, that it is as good not pray at all. Here faith hath full relief in Christ: Two things it can say from him to encourage the fearful soul: 1. That our Acceptance with the Father is through the merits of his Son: And he is worthy, though we are unworthy. If we have but the worthiness of Faith, and Repentance, and sincere Desire, Christ hath the worthiness of perfect holiness and obedience for us. We go not to the Father in our own names, but in his: And whatever we ask the Father in the name of Christ according to his will, he will give it us: