A26892:734
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.
§. 12. Direct. 9. Mark what obedience is expected by men; and what influence Government hath upon the state and affairs of the would, and what the world would be without it; and sure this will make you think honourably and delightfully of the Government of God. What would a Nation be without Government, but like a company of Thieves and lawless Murderers? or like the Pikes in a Pond, that first eat up the other Fish, and then devour one another, the greater living upon the less. Bears and Wolves would live quietlier together, than ungoverned men (except those few that are truly subject to the Government of God.) Government maintaineth every man in his propriety; and keepeth lust and madness from breaking out; and keepeth peace and order in the world. What would a family ⟨p. 87⟩be without Government? Children and Servants are kept by it in their proper place and work. Think then how necessary and excellent is the Universal Government of God.
§. 13. Direct. 10. Think well •f the Endless Rewards and Punishments, by which God will procure 1obedience to his Laws, or vindicate the honour of his Government on the disobedient: That the world may see that he giveth sufficient motives for all that he requireth; he will reward the obedient with everlasting blessedness, and punish the Rebels with endless misery. You shall not say, that he bids you work for nothing. Though you can give him nothing but his own, and therefore can merit nothing of him, in point of Commutative Justice; yet as he is a Governor and a Father he will put so wide a difference between the obedient and the rebellious, that one shall be judged to everlasting joy (with a Well done, good and faithful servant) and the other to everlasting punishment, Matth. 25. Is there not enough in Heaven, in a life of endless joys with God; to make obedience lovely to you, and to make sin loathsome? Is there not enough in Hell to deter you from disobedience, and drive you unto God? God will Rule whether you will or not. Consent to be obedient, or he will punish you without asking your consent.