Directions for weak distempered Christians, to grow up to a confirmed state of grace…

Name: Directions for weak distempered Christians, to grow up to a confirmed state of grace…
Author: Richard Baxter

Directions for weak distempered Christians, to grow up to a confirmed state of grace with motives opening the lamentable effects of their weaknesses and distempers / by Richard Baxter.

Richard Baxter 1615–1691London: printed for Nevil Simmons, 1669

2 v. in 1. · 110k words · Wing B1249 · ESTC R15683

Title page typeset from the transcription.

Directions 2 › Direction 1: DIRECT. I. Be sure that the Foundation be well laid, both in your Heads and Hearts; or…

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.

[ Earlier:149–164 of 533

:149p. 86

This is the Essence of the Christian Faith as to the Matter of it. As to the Manner of Receiving it by the understanding, 1. It must be received as Certain truth of Gods Revelation, upon the credit of his Word, by a lively effectual belief; piercing so deep, as is necessary for its prevalency with the Will. 2. And it must be Entirely received, and not only a part of it: Though all men have not so exactly formed distinct apprehensions of every member of this belief, as some have, yet all true Christians have a true apprehension of them. We feel by daily experience, that with the wisest, some matters are truly understood by us, which yet are not so distinctly and clearly understood, as to be ready for an expression. I have oft in matters that I am but studying, a light that gives me a general imperfect but true conception, which I cannot yet express; but when another hath helped me to form my conception, I can quickly and truly say, that was it that I had an unformed apprehension of before, and it that I meant, but could not utter; not so much for want of words, as for want of a full and distinct conception.

This is the Essence of the Christian Faith as to the Matter of it. As to the Manner of Receiving it by the understanding, 1. It must be received as Certain truth of Gods Revelation, upon the credit of his Word, by a lively effectual belief; pierceing so deep, as is necessary for its prevalency with the Will. 2. And it must be Entirely received, and not only a part of it: Though all men have not so exactly formed distinct apprehensions of every member of this belief, as some have, yet all true Christians have a true apprehension of them. We feel by daily experience, that with the wisest, some matters are truly understood by us, which yet are not so distinctly and clearly understood, as to be ready for an expression. I have oft in matters that I am but studying, a light that gives me a general imperfect but true conception, which I cannot yet express; but when another hath helped me to form my conception, I can quickly and truly say, that was it that I had an unformed apprehension of before, and it that I meant, but could not utter; not so much for want of words, as for want of a full and distinct conception.

:150p. 86–87¶2

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Directions for weak distempered Christians, to grow up to a confirmed state of grace…

DIRECT. II. Think not that all is done when once you are Converted; but remember that the work of your Christianity then comes in, and must be as long as the time of your lives.

DIRECT. III. Be sure that you understand wherein your establishment and growth consisteth, that you may not miscarry by seeking somewhat else instead of it: nor think you have it when you have it not, or that you want it, when you have it, and so be needlessly disquieted about it.

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

DIRECT. II. Think not that all is done when once you are Converted; but remember that the work of your Christianity then comes in, and must be as long as the time of your lives.

DIRECT. III. Be sure that you understand wherein your establishment and growth consisteth, that you may not miscarry by seeking somewhat else instead of it: nor think you have it when you have it not, or that you want it, when you have it, and so be needlessly disquieted about it.