A26892:1043
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.
§. 29. Tempt. 3. It is the great care of the Devil to keep out of sight, that he be not seen himself1 in the Temptation: As the Angler keepeth himself behind the bush, and the Fowler hideth himself from the birds, or else they would fear, and fly, and escape: so doth the Devil use all his art, to hide himself from the sinners observation; that the deluded soul shall little think that the Devil is so near him, and hath so great a hand in the business. If the ambitious or Covetous worlding saw the Devil offer him the bait, and heard him say▪ All this will I give thee; he would have the smaller list to take the bait. If the Devil appeared to the Whoremonger, and brought him his Whore, and encouraged him to his filthiness, it would cool his lust: Or if he appeared to the drunkard, and presented him the cup, he would have but little list to drink: If the proud and the malicious saw the Devil at their backs, rejoicing in their sin, and putting them on, it might affright them half into their wits. Therefore the great endeavour of the Devil is, to persuade men that it is not he that makes the motion to them: It is such a friend, or such a neighbour, or gentleman, or minister, or wise man; it is not the Devil! Till the Fish is catched, and the bird is in the net; and then the author of all appeareth, to kill them, and carry them away, without any concealment.
§. 29. Tempt. 3. It is the great care of the Devil to keep out of sight, that he be not seen himself1 in the Temptation: As the Angler keepeth himself behind the bush, and the Fowler hideth himself from the birds, or else they would fear, and fly, and escape: so doth the Devil use all his art, to hide himself from the sinners observation; that the deluded soul shall little think that the Devil is so near him, and hath so great a hand in the business. If the ambitious or Covetous worlding saw the Devil offer him the bait, and heard him say▪ All this will I give thee; he would have the smaller list to take the bait. If the Devil appeared to the Whoremonger, and brought him his Whore, and encouraged him to his filthiness, it would cool his lust: Or if he appeared to the drunkard, and presented him the cup, he would have but little list to drink: If the proud and the malicious saw the Devil at their backs, rejoycing in their sin, and putting them on, it might affright them half into their wits. Therefore the great endeavour of the Devil is, to perswade men that it is not he that makes the motion to them: It is such a friend, or such a neighbour, or gentleman, or minister, or wise man; it is not the Devil! Till the Fish is catcht, and the bird is in the net; and then the author of all appeareth, to kill them, and carry them away, without any concealment.