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 11: DIRECT. XI. If it be possible, make choice of such a Pastor for the help and guidance o…

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:219–234 of 533

:219p. 133¶4

4. See that he be Holy in his life; for though this be not essential to his Office, yet the unholy are unexperienced, yea and have a secret enmity in their hearts against that Holiness which they should daily Preach; and will usually be showing it in their close disgracing discouraging speeches, against that serious Piety which they should promote: And they will neglect most of the personal care of their Flock; and will unpreach by their lives the good which they Preach by their tongues, and harden and embolden the people in their sins, and make them believe that they believe not what they Preach themselves. Choose not an enemy of Holiness to lead you in the way of holiness (a way that he never went himself), nor an enemy of Christ to conduct you in the Christian warfare, when he is a servant of the Devil, the world and flesh, against whom you fight.

4. See that he be Holy in his life; for though this be not essential to his Office, yet the unholy are unexperienced, yea and have a secret enmity in their hearts against that Holiness which they should daily Preach; and will usually be shewing it in their close disgracing discouraging speeches, against that serious Piety which they should promote: And they will neglect most of the personal care of their Flock; and will unpreach by their lives the good which they Preach by their tongues, and harden and embolden the people in their sins, and make them believe that they believe not what they Preach themselves. Choose not an enemy of Holiness to lead you in the way of holiness (a way that he never went himself), nor an enemy of Christ to conduct you in the Christian warfare, when he is a servant of the Devil, the world and flesh, against whom you fight.

:220p. 134¶5

5. See that he be of a Heavenly mind, or else his Doctrine will be unsavoury and dry, and he will be Preaching some speculations or barren Controversies, instead of Heavenly edifying truth.

:221p. 134¶6

[ Earlier passages Later passages ]

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

DIRECT. XIII. Subdue your passions, and abhor all uncharitable principles and practises, and live in love; maintaining peace in your families, and with your neighbours, but especially in the Church of God.

DIRECT. XIV. Keep up a constant Government over your Thoughts and Tongues; especially against those particular sins which you are stronglyest tempted to, and which you see other Christians most overtaken with.

DIRECT. XV. Let every state of life and Relation that you are in, be sanctified unto God, and conscionably used: And to that end understand the advantages and duties of every condition and Relation, and the sins and hinderances and dangers which you are most liable to.

DIRECT. XV. Let every state of life and Relation that you are in, be sanctifyed unto God, and conscionably used: And to that end understand the advantages and duties of every condition and Relation, and the sins and hinderances and dangers which you are most lyable to.

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

DIRECT. XIII. Subdue your passions, and abhor all uncharitable principles and practises, and live in love; maintaining peace in your families, and with your neighbours, but especially in the Church of God.

DIRECT. XIV. Keep up a constant Government over your Thoughts and Tongues; especially against those particular sins which you are stronglyest tempted to, and which you see other Christians most overtaken with.

DIRECT. XV. Let every state of life and Relation that you are in, be sanctified unto God, and conscionably used: And to that end understand the advantages and duties of every condition and Relation, and the sins and hinderances and dangers which you are most liable to.

DIRECT. XV. Let every state of life and Relation that you are in, be sanctifyed unto God, and conscionably used: And to that end understand the advantages and duties of every condition and Relation, and the sins and hinderances and dangers which you are most lyable to.