A26892:656
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.
§. 11. 8. Sometime the soul that would draw near to God, is molested with a storm of hideous Temptations, and even confounded with a swarm of disordered perplexed thoughts: Satan assaulteth it with Temptations to despair, Temptations to horrid blasphemous thoughts, temptations to entangle, intermit, corrupt or pervert the duty which they are about, so that the soul is discouraged, overwhelmed and broken with the inward assaults, and troubles, and distractions which it undergoeth. In this case Faith hath a Saviour suitable to our relief. It can look to him that was tempted in all points like as we are, without sin, and is now such an High Priest as can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, and therefore we may come boldly to the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need, Heb. 4. 14, 15, 16. In all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful High Priest, in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation ⟨p. 75⟩for the sins of the people: For he himself having suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted, Heb. 2. 17, 18. He submitted not only to be tempted by Satan, but tempted in a Wilderness where he had no man to comfort him; and to be tempted to the most horrid Blasphemy and wickedness, even to fall down and worship the Devil himself; and he suffered the Tempter violently to carry him to the pinnacle of the Temple, Matth. 4. What should we think of our selves, if we had been used thus? Should we not think that God had utterly forsaken us? He suffered himself to be tempted also by men: by the abuses and reproaches of his enemies; by the desertion of his followers; by the carnal counsel of Peter, persuading him to put by the death which he was to undergo. And he that made all Temptations serve to the triumph of his patience, and conquering power, will give the victory also to his Grace, in the weakest soul.
§. 11. 8. Sometime the soul that would draw near to God, is molested with a storm of hideous Temptations, and even confounded with a swarm of disordered perplexed thoughts: Satan assaulteth it with Temptations to despair, Temptations to horrid blasphemous thoughts, temptations to entangle, intermit, corrupt or pervert the duty which they are about, so that the soul is discouraged, overwhelmed and broken with the inward assaults, and troubles, and distractions which it undergoeth. In this case Faith hath a Saviour suitable to our relief. It can look to him that was tempted in all points like as we are, without sin, and is now such an High Priest as can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, and therefore we may come boldly to the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need,