Understand the Two States of Man

Spiritual Direction # 2. Do your best to understand the two states of man, under sin and saving grace.

It is very true that all are sinners: but it is as true, that some are in a state of sin, and some in a state of grace: some are converted sinners, and some unconverted sinners.

He that is in a state of sin has habitually and predominantly a greater love to some pleasures, or profits, or honors of this world, than he has to God and to the glory which he has promised; he prefers, seeks, and holds (if he can) his material prosperity in this world, before the favor of God and the happiness of the world to come. His heart is turned from God unto the creature, and is principally set on things on earth.

On the other side, a state of holiness, is nothing else but the habitual and predominant devotion and dedication of soul, and body, and life, and all that we have to God: an esteeming, loving, serving, and seeking him before all the pleasures and prosperity of the flesh: making his favor, and everlasting happiness in heaven our end, and Jesus Christ our way, and referring all things in the world unto that end, and making this the scope, design, and business of our lives. It is a turning from a deceitful world to God; and preferring the Creator before the creature, and heaven before earth, and eternity before time, and our souls before our bodies, and the authority and laws of God, the universal Governor of the world, before the word or will of any man, how great soever.

Source: Baxter, R. (1830). The Practical Works of the Rev. Richard Baxter Volume 2: Christian Directory Part 1 - Christian Ethics. London: Printed by Mills, Jowett, and Mills.