A26892:8306
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.
§. 21. Consid. 15. Observe how you unfit your selves for all holy duties, and communion with God, 1while you cherish wrath and malice in your hearts. Do you find your selves fit for Meditation, Conference or Prayer while you are in wrath? I know you cannot: It both undisposeth you to the duty, and the guilt affrighteth you, and telleth you that you are unfit to come near to God. As a Fever taketh away a mans appetite to his meat, and his disposition to labour, so doth wrath and malice destroy both your disposition to holy duties, and your pleasure in them. And conscience will tell you that it is so terrible to draw near God in such a case, that you will be readier were it possible to hide your selves as Adam and Eve, or fly as Cain, as not enduring the presence of God. And therefore the Common-Prayer Book above all other sins, enableth the Pastor to keep away the malicious from the Sacrament of Communion; and conscience maketh many that have little conscience in any thing else, that they dare not come to that Sacrament, while wrath and malice are in their breasts: And Christ himself saith, Matth. 5. 23, 24, 25. If thou bring thy gift unto the Altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the Altar, and go thy way, first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift▪ Agree with thine adversary quickly while thou art in the way with him, lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the Judge, and the Judge deliver thee to the Officer, and thou be cast into prison, &c.
§. 21. Consid. 15. Observe how you unfit your selves for all holy duties, and communion with God, 1while you cherish wrath and malice in your hearts. Do you find your selves fit for Meditation, Conference or Prayer while you are in wrath? I know you cannot: It both undisposeth you to the duty, and the guilt affrighteth you, and telleth you that you are unfit to come near to God. As a Feavor taketh away a mans appetite to his meat, and his disposition to labour, so doth wrath and malice destroy both your disposition to holy duties, and your pleasure in them. And conscience will tell you that it is so terrible to draw near God in such a case, that you will be readier were it possible to hide your selves as Adam and Eve, or fly as Cain, as not enduring the presence of God. And therefore the Common-Prayer Book above all other sins, enableth the Pastor to keep away the malicious from the Sacrament of Communion; and conscience maketh many that have little conscience in any thing else, that they dare not come to that Sarament, while wrath and malice are in their breasts: And Christ himself saith,