A26892:711
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.
§. 2. I. The duty lieth in these acts. 1. That you consider the Ground of Gods Propriety in you,1 1. In making you of Nothing, and preserving you. 2. In Redeeming you by purchase. 3. In Regenerating you, and renewing you for himself. The first is the Ground of his Common Natural Propriety in you and all things: The second is the Ground of his Common Gracious Propriety in you and all men, as Purchased by Christ, Rom. 14. 9, John 13. 3. The third is the Ground of his special Gracious Propriety in you, and all his sanctified peculiar people. Understand and acknowledge what a Plenary Dominion God hath over you, and how absolutely and wholly you are His. 2. Let it exceedingly Please you to think that you are wholly his: it being much better for you, as to your Safety, Honour and Happiness, than to be your Own, or any's else. 3. As God requireth it in his Covenant of Grace, that he have his Right by your Consent, and not by Constraint; so you must thankfully accept the motion, and with hearty and full Consent of Will, Resign your selves to him as his Own, even as his Creatures, his Ransomed ones, and his Regenerate Children, by a Covenant never to be violated. 4. You must carefully watch against the Claim and reserves of carnal selfishness; lest while you confess you are Gods, and not your Own, you should secretly still keep possession of your selves against him, or re-assume the possession which you surrendered. 5. You must Use your selves ever after as Gods, and not your Own.
§. 2. I. The duty lyeth in these acts. 1. That you consider the Ground of Gods Propriety in you,1 1. In making you of Nothing, and preserving you. 2. In Redeeming you by purchase. 3. In Regenerating you, and renewing you for himself. The first is the Ground of his Common Natural Propriety in you and all things: The second is the Ground of his Common Gracious Propriety in you and all men, as Purchased by Christ, Rom. 14. 9, Iohn 13. 3. The third is the Ground of his special Gracious Propriety in you, and all his sanctified peculiar people. Understand and acknowledge what a Plenary Dominion God hath over you, and how absolutely and wholly you are His. 2. Let it exceedingly Please you to think that you are wholly his: it being much better for you, as to your Safety, Honour and Happiness, than to be your Own, or any's else. 3. As God requireth it in his Covenant of Grace, that he have his Right by your Consent, and not by Constraint; so you must thankfully accept the motion, and with hearty and full Consent of Will, Resign your selves to him as his Own, even as his Creatures, his Ransomed ones, and his Regenerate Children, by a Covenant never to be violated. 4. You must carefully watch against the Claim and reserves of carnal selfishness; lest while you confess you are Gods, and not your Own, you should secretly still keep possession of your selves against him, or re-assume the possession which you surrendred. 5. You must Use your selves ever after as Gods, and not your Own.