A26915:332
Directions and persuasions to a sound conversion for prevention of that deceit and damnation…Directions and perswasions to a sound conversion for prevention of that deceit and damnation…
Directions and persuasions to a sound conversion for prevention of that deceit and damnation of souls, and of those scandals, heresies, and desperate apostasies that are the consequents of a counterfeit, or superficial change / by Richard Baxter.Directions and perswasions to a sound conversion for prevention of that deceit and damnation of souls, and of those scandals, heresies, and desperate apostasies that are the consequents of a counterfeit, or superficial change / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by A.M. for Nevil Simmons, 1658
Directions to Sinners that are purposed to Turn, and are under the… › Direction 5
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.
7. Lastly Understand and Note, that the Means which Christ hath resolved on for Teaching, and Ruling us, ordinarily, are his Word, his Ministers, and his Spirit: all must be submitted to together, where they may be had, and none of them laid by, by separation. His Word, ⟨p. 293⟩is the Grammar, or Book, as it were, that we must learn: His Ministers must teach us this Book: And his Spirit (who in the Apostles, and Prophets indited, and sealed it) must inwardly teach us, by powerful Illumination. The Word is Gods Laws: the Ministers are his Ambassadors, or Heralds to proclaim them, and command obedience in his Name: and his Spirit must open mens hearts to entertain them. The Word is Gods Seed: the Ministers are the Husbandmen, or Servants that sow it: and the Spirit must give the increase; without which, our planting, and watering will do nothing. He therefore that takes Christ for his Master, and King, must resolve to be taught, and ruled by his established means, even by his Word, and Ministers, and Spirit conjunct: For he that refuseth and despiseth these, doth refuse, and despise Christ; and consequently the Father that sent him, Luke 10. 16. 1 Thes. 4. 8. For it was never the meaning of Christ, when he became the Teacher, and King of the Church, to stay on Earth, and personally, and visibly to teach them himself: but these three are his means, which all must submit ⟨p. 294⟩to, that will be his Subjects, and Disciples. And he that despiseth the Word, shall be destroyed, Prov. 13. 13. He that will not have the Word, Ministry, and Spirit teach him, will not have Christ teach him: and he that refuseth to be ruled by these three, shall be destroyed as a Rebel against Christ himself, Luke 19. 27. Still it is supposed that Ministers must Teach, and Rule according to this Word.
7. Lastly Understand and Note, that the Means which Christ hath resolved on for Teaching, and Ruling us, ordinarily, are his Word, his Ministers, and his Spirit: all must be submitted to together, where they may be had, and none of them laid by, by separation. His Word,