A26892:7682
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.
Quest. 168. Are not our own Reasons, Studies, Memory, Strivings, Books, Forms, Methods and Ministry needless, yea, a hurtful quenching or preventing of the Spirit, and setting up our own, instead of the Spirits operations?
Answ. 1. Yes; if we do it in a conceit of the sufficiency of our selves, our reason, memory,1 studies, books, forms, &c. without the Spirit: Or if we ascribe any thing to any of these which is proper to Christ or to his Spirit. For such proud self-sufficient despisers of the Spirit, cannot reasonably expect his help: I doubt among men counted Learned and Rational there are too many such, *that know not mans insufficiency or corruption, nor the necessity and use of that Holy Ghost into whose name they were baptized, and in whom they take on them to believe. But think that all that pretend to the Spirit are but Fanatics and Enthusiasts, and self-conceited people; when yet the Spirit himself saith, Rom. 8 9. If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, the same is none of his. And Gal. 4. 6. Because we are sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, whereby we cry Abba, Father.
Answ. 1. YEs; if we do it in a conceit of the sufficiency of our selves, our reason, memory,1 studies, books, forms, &c. without the Spirit: Or if we ascribe any thing to any of these which is proper to Christ or to his Spirit. For such proud self-sufficient despisers of the Spirit, cannot reasonably expect his help: I doubt among men counted Learned and Rational there are too many such,