A Christian Directory

Name: A Christian Directory
Author: Richard Baxter

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.

Richard Baxter 1615–1691London: printed by Robert White for Nevill Simmons, 1673

[35], 929, [5], 214 p., [1] leaf of plates : port. · 1.2M words · Wing B1219 · ESTC R21847

Title page typeset from the transcription.

Part 1 › Chapter 3 › Direction 2: DIRECT. II. Diligently labour in that part of the life of faith, which consisteth in th…

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.

[ Earlier:654–669 of 9,947

:654p. 75

§. 12. 9. It would be the greatest attractive to us to draw near to God, and make the thoughts of him pleasant to us, if we could but believe that he dearly loveth us, that he is reconciled to us, and taketh us for his children, and that he taketh pleasure in us, and that he resolveth for ever to glorify us with his Son; and that the dearest friend that we have in the world, doth not Love us the thousandth part so much as he. And all this in Christ is clearly represented to the eye of faith. All this is procured for believers by him: And all this is given to believers in him: In him God is reconciled to us: He is our Father, and dwelleth among us, and in us, and walketh in us, and is our God, 2 Cor. 6. 16, 17, 18. Light and Heat are not more abundant in the Sun, than Love is in Jesus Christ. To look on Christ and not perceive the Love of God, is as to look on the Sun, and not to see and acknowledge its light. Therefore when ever you find your hearts averse to God, and to have no pleasure in him, look then to Jesus, and observe in him the unmeasurable love of God: that you may be able to comprehend with all the Saints, what is the breadth and length and depth, and height, and to know the Love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God, Eph. 3. 18, 19. Love and Goodness are that to the will, which delicious sweetness is to the sensitive appetite: Draw near then and taste the Feast of Love which God hath prepared and proposed by his Son. Dost thou not see or feel the Love of God? Come near, and look upon God incarnate; upon a crucified Christ; upon the Covenant sealed in his blood; upon all the benefits of his Redemption; upon all the privileges of the Saints; and upon the glory purchased, possessed and promised by him: Put thy hand into his wounded side, and be not faithless, but believing, and then thou wilt cry out, My Lord, and my God.

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A Christian Directory

DIRECT. III. ¹Understand well what it is to believe in the Holy Ghost: and see that he dwell² and operate in thee, as the Life of thy soul, and that thou do not resist or quench the Spirit, but thankfully obey him.

Transcription key

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

DIRECT. III. 1Understand well what it is to believe in the Holy Ghost: and see that he dwell2 and operate in thee, as the Life of thy soul, and that thou do not resist or quench the Spirit, but thankfully obey him.

Transcription key

DIRECT. III. ¹Understand well what it is to believe in the Holy Ghost: and see that he dwell² and operate in thee, as the Life of thy soul, and that thou do not resist or quench the Spirit, but thankfully obey him.