A26892:1047
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.
§. 33. Tempt. 5. It is the Tempters care to bring the tempting object near enough, or draw the ••nner 1near enough to it: The net must come to the fish, or the fish to the net: The distant fire will not burn the w••d. The Devils chief confidence is in the sensitive appetite, which worketh strongliest at hand. If he get the drunkard into the ALE-house and show him the cup, he hath half conquered him already: But if he •e scrupulous and modest, some one shall drink a health or importune him, and put the cup into his hand. The thief with Achan shall see the bait, and the sight will work a Covetous desire. The glutton shall have the Tempting dishes before him, and be at a Table which by variety of delicious food, is fitted to become his snare, whereas if he had nothing set before him, but the poor mans simple food which hath nothing in it fit to tempt him, he might easily have escaped. The fornicator shall have his beautiful dirt brought near him, and presented to him in a tempting dress; for at a sufficient distance there had been little danger. The ambitious person shall have preferment offered him, or brought so fair to his hand that with a little seeking it may be attained. The fearful coward shall be threatened with the loss of estate or life, and hear the report of the Cannons, Guns and Drums of Satan. Peter is half conquered when he is got among questioning company in the High-Priests Hall. Thus David, thus Lot, thus ordinarily sinners are drawn into the snare.
§. 33. Tempt. 5. It is the Tempters care to bring the tempting object near enough, or draw the ••nner 1near enough to it: The net must come to the fish, or the fish to the net: The distant fire will not burn the w••d. The Devils chief confidence is in the sensitive appetite, which worketh strongliest at hand. If he get the drunkard into the ALE-house and shew him the cup, he hath half conquered him allready: But if he •e scrupulous and modest, some one shall drink a health or importune him, and put the cup into his hand. The thief with Achan shall see the bait, and the sight will work a Coveteous desire. The glutton shall have the Tempting dishes before him, and be at a Table which by variety of delicious food, is fitted to become his snare, whereas if he had nothing set before him, but the poor mans simple food which hath nothing in it fit to tempt him, he might easily have escaped. The fornicator shall have his beautiful dirt brought near him, and presented to him in a tempting dress; for at a sufficient distance there had been little danger. The ambitious person shall have preferment offered him, or brought so fair to his hand that with a little seeking it may be attained. The fearful coward shall be threatned with the loss of estate or life, and hear the report of the Cannons, Guns and Drums of Satan. Peter is half conquered when he is got among questioning company in the High-Priests Hall. Thus David, thus Lot, thus ordinarily sinners are drawn into the snare.