A26892:1044
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.
§. 30. Direct. 3. Mark but the tendency and the manner of the Temptations, and you may perceive1 the Author: Who else is it that is so much against God, and against your everlasting happiness? Who else is it that would so abuse your Reason, to prefer things temporal, before things eternal, and the brutish pleasures of a corruptible flesh, before the interest of immortal souls? Who else so contradicteth all the word of God? Read Gods warnings, and he will tell you who it is. Take every Temptation then (whoever be the messenger) as if thou sawest the Devil standing by, and making the motion to thee, and heardest himself exhort thee to the sin, suppose you saw him conducting you to the Whore-house, the Play-house, the ALE-house, and making you entertainment as the Master of the game! How then would you take it? And what would you do? Would you go, and be angry at the precise Preacher that would hinder you? And would you take the Devils part? No, nature hath possessed you with a fear of him and an enmity to him: use it for your safety: It cannot be good for you that comes from him! He hath a fouler face to appear to you in, than ever yet you saw, when you have done his work and are where he would have you. O know with whom you have to do.
§. 30. Direct. 3. Mark but the tendency and the manner of the Temptations, and you may perceive1 the Author: Who else is it that is so much against God, and against your everlasting happiness? Who else is it that would so abuse your Reason, to preferr things temporal, before things eternal, and the bruitish pleasures of a corruptible flesh, before the interest of immortal souls? Who else so contradicteth all the word of God? Read Gods warnings, and he will tell you who it is. Take every Temptation then (whoever be the messenger) as if thou sawest the Devil standing by, and making the motion to thee, and heardest himself exhort thee to the sin, suppose you saw him conducting you to the Whore-house, the Play-house, the ALE-house, and making you entertainment as the Master of the game! How then would you take it? And what would you do? Would you go, and be angry at the precise Preacher that would hinder you? And would you take the Devils part? No, nature hath possessed you with a fear of him and an enmity to him: use it for your safety: It cannot be good for you that comes from him! He hath a fouler face to appear to you in, than ever yet you saw, when you have done his work and are where he would have you. O know with whom you have to do.