A26892:7679
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.
Part 3 › Question 167: Quest. 167. How far do good men now Preach and Pray by the Spirit?
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.
4. The Spirit by Illumination, Quickening and Sanctification, giveth us an habitual acquaintance with our sins, our wants, with the word of precept and promise, with God, with Christ, with Grace, with Heaven. And it giveth us a Habit of holy Love to God, and Goodness, and Thankfulness for mercy, and faith in Christ, and the life to come, and desires of perfection, and hatred of sin: And he that hath all these, hath a constant Habit of prayer in him: For prayer is nothing but the expression with the tongue of these Graces in the heart: So that the Spirit of Sanctification is thereby a Spirit of Adoption and of Supplication. And he that hath freedom of utterance can speak that which Gods Spirit hath put into his very heart, and made him esteem his greatest and nearest concernment, and the most necessary and excellent thing in all the world. This is the Spirits principal help.
4. The Spirit by Illumination, Quickning and Sanctification, giveth us an habitual acquaintance with our sins, our wants, with the word of precept and promise, with God, with Christ, with Grace, with Heaven. And it giveth us a Habit of holy Love to God, and Goodness, and Thankfulness for mercy, and faith in Christ, and the life to come, and desires of perfection, and hatred of sin: And he that hath all these, hath a constant Habit of prayer in him: For prayer is nothing but the expression with the tongue of these Graces in the heart: So that the Spirit of Sanctification is thereby a Spirit of Adoption and of Supplication. And he that hath freedom of utterance can speak that which Gods Spirit hath put into his very heart, and made him esteem his greatest and nearest concernment, and the most necessary and excellent thing in all the world. This is the Spirits principal help.
5. The same Spirit doth incline our hearts to the diligent use of all those means, by which our abilities may be increased: As to read, and hear, and confer, and to use our selves to prayer, and to meditation, self-examination, &c.