A26892:721
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.
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his Commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. Rev. 22. 14. Blessed are they that do his Commandments, that they may have right to the Tree of Life, and may enter in by the gates into the City.
I set together these testimonies of the Scripture, that the stream of Divine authority may carry you to a lively sense of the necessity of Obedience.
§. 2. I shall here first tell you what this full subjection is, and then I shall Direct you how to attain it.
I. As in God there is first his Relation of our King, and then his actual Government of us, by his Laws and Judgement: so in us there is first our Relation of Subjects to God, and then our actual obedience. 1We are Subjects by Divine obligation, before we consent (as Rebels are): but our Consent or self-obligation is necessary to our Voluntary obedience, and acceptation with God. Subjection is our stated obligation to Obedience. This subjection and habit of Obedience is then right and full, 1. When the sense of Gods authority over us, is Practical and not notional only. 2. And when it is deep-rooted and fixed, and become as a Nature to us: As a mans intention of his End is that hath a long journey to go, which carrieth him on to the last step: or as a Child's subjection to his Parents, or a Servant to his Master, which is the Habit or principle of his daily course of life. 3. When it is Lively, and ready to put the soul upon obedience. 4. When it is constant, keeping the soul in a continual attendance upon the Will of God. 5. When it hath universal respect to all his Commandments. 6. When it is resolute, powerful and victorious against temptations to disobedience: 7. When it is superlative, respecting God as our supreme King, and owning no authority against him, nor any but what is subordinate to him. 8. When it is Voluntary, Pleasant, Cheerful, and delectable to us to Obey him to the utmost of our Power.