A26892:676
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.
The same Spirit helpeth believers in the exercise of grace to feel it and discern the sincerity of it in themselves, in that measure as they are meet for, and in these seasons when it is fittest for them. 9. The same Spirit helpeth them hereupon to conclude that they are justified and reconciled to God, and have right to all the benefits of his Covenant. 10. Also he assisteth them actually to rejoice in the discerning of this Conclusion. For though Reason of it self may do something in these acts, yet so averse is man to all that is holy, and so many are the difficulties and hinderances in the way, that to the effectual performance, the help of the Spirit of God is necessary.
The same Spirit helpeth believers in the exercise of grace to feel it and discern the sincerity of it in themselves, in that measure as they are meet for, and in these seasons when it is fittest for them. 9. The same Spirit helpeth them hereupon to conclude that they are justified and reconciled to God, and have right to all the benefits of his Covenant. 10. Also he assisteth them actually to rejoyce in the discerning of this Conclusion. For though Reason of it self may do something in these acts, yet so averse is man to all that is holy, and so many are the difficulties and hinderances in the way, that to the effectual performance, the help of the Spirit of God is necessary.
§. 5. By this enumeration of the Spirits operations, you may see the errors of many detected, and many common Questions answered. 1. You may see their blindness that pretend the Spirit within them against Scripture, Ministry, or the use of Gods appointed means: when the same Spirit first indited the Scripture, and maketh it the Instrument to illuminate and sanctify our souls: Gods Image is 1. Primarily in Jesus Christ his Son: 2. Derivatively, by his Spirit imprinted perfectly in the holy Scriptures: 3. And by the Scripture, or the holy Doctrine of it, instrumentally impressed on the soul. So that the Image of God in Christ, is the Cause of his Image in his holy Word or Doctrine, and his Image in his Word, is the Cause of his Image on the heart. So a King may have his Image, 1. Naturally on his Son, who is like his Father: 2. Expressively, in his Laws, which express his Wisdom, Clemency and Justice: 3. And effectively on his Subjects and Servants, who are by his Laws reduced to a Conformity to his mind. As a man may first cut his Arms or Image on his seal, and then by that seal imprint it on the wax; and though it be perfectly cut on the seal, it may be imperfectly printed on the wax; so Gods Image is naturally perfect in his Son, and Regularly or expressively perfect on the seal of his holy Doctrine and Laws; but imperfectly on his subjects according to their reception of it in their several degrees.