A26892:1046
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.
§. 32. Direct, 4. Be wise and suspicious: Blindness or fool-hardiness will lead you into the snare.1 Be wise that you may know the tendency of every thing that is presented to your thoughts, and may be able to perceive a danger: Be suspicious and cautelous, that you may make a sufficient trial, and go upon sure grounds, and avoid the very appearance of evil: when it is Hell that you fear, come not too near. Play not as the fly about the Candle: salvation is necessary; but preferment, or wealth, or liberty, or credit, or life it self are not necessary to you! Prove all things: Flatter not your selves into the snares by foolish hopes, and judging of things as the flesh would have them to be, rather than as they are. It no danger appear, turn up all coverings, and search and see that none be hidden. The Devil hath his gun-powder-plots, and mines, which may blow you up before you are aware. Not only Lawfulness and Indifferency, but great Good is the pretence for greatest evil.
§. 32. Direct, 4. Be wise and suspicious: Blindness or fool-hardiness will lead you into the snare.1 Be wise that you may know the tendency of every thing that is presented to your thoughts, and may be able to perceive a danger: Be suspicious and cautelous, that you may make a sufficient trial, and go upon sure grounds, and avoid the very appearance of evil: when it is Hell that you fear, come not too near. Play not as the fly about the Candle: salvation is necessary; but preferment, or wealth, or liberty, or credit, or life it self are not necessary to you! Prove all things: Flatter not your selves into the snares by foolish hopes, and judging of things as the flesh would have them to be, rather than as they are. It no danger appear, turn up all coverings, and search and see that none be hidden. The Devil hath his gun-powder-plots, and mines, which may blow you up before you are aware. Not only Lawfullness and Indifferency, but great Good is the pretence for greatest evil.
- 1Direct. 4.