A26892:1048
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.
§. 34. Direct. 5. As ever you would preserve your innocency and your souls, fly as far from1 tempting objects as you can: I say as you can without distrusting God in the neglect of a certain duty: A Wife, or a servant that are bound cannot fly: nor must we leave undone our certain duty upon an uncertain danger, which may otherwise be avoided: But keep off from the Temptation at as great a distance as you can: The safest course is the best when your souls lie at the stake: If it be not Necessary, plead not the Lawfulness of what you do, when it is a Temptation to that which is unlawful. You say, It is lawful to wear such curious ornaments, and set out your selves in the neatest dress: But is it lawful to be Proud or Lustful, or to consume your time unprofitably? If not, tempt not your selves or others to it. Keep away from the place where the snare is laid. Look first to the end before thou meddle with the beginning. Why should I eat that which I know I cannot digest, but must cast it up again? And why should I taste that which I must not eat? And why should I desire to have that set before me, and to look upon it which I must not taste? Come not near if thou wouldst not be taken? What dost thou at the ALE-house with a cup before thee, if thou wouldst not be drawn to excess of drink? If thou be subject to excess in eating, make not thy own table thy Temptation. Fly from the Temptation as thou wouldst do from Hell, or from the Devil himself. See not the bait of lust, or come not near, if thou be inclinable to lust, saith Solomon, Rem••e thy way far from her, and come not near the door of her house, Prov. 5. 8. For her end is bi•er as wormwood, sharp as a two edged sword▪ Her feet go down to death, her steps take hold on Hell, verse 4, 5. Her house inclineth to death and her paths unto the dead: None that go to her return again, neither take they •old of the paths of Life. Prov. 2. 18, 19. Her house is the way to Hell, going down to the chambers of Death, Prov. 7. 27. Whoso is simple let him turn in hither, and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant: But he knoweth not that the dead are there, and that her guests are in the depths of Hell: