A26892:1051
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.
§. 36. Direct. 6. It is therefore a principal part of your wisdom and watchfulness, to avoid the 1opportunities of sinning, and keep out as many impediments as may be in your own way. It is a most foolish and sinful thing in some men, who think it a brave thing to have power to do hurt, though they pretend that they abhor the doing of it: He that saith he hateth oppression, yet would have a Power to oppress: To have all men at his will and mercy he thinks is brave: so they that would not be gluttonous would have a tempting table still before them, presuming that their own will is a sufficient preservative against the sin: so they that would not be ensnared with lust, have yet a desire to appear ⟨p. 117⟩as comely, and lovely, and desirable as may be, and to be as much beloved, that they may have others affections at command; and also to have opportunity offered them, that they may sin if they will. And is thy will so well established, mortified and unchangeable, as to be so far trusted? O foolish sinner that no better knowest thy self; nor observest thy danger? Nor perceivest that this very desire to have the Power to do evil showeth a degree of the evil in thy heart, and that thou art not yet s•t so far from it as thou must be, if thou wouldst be safe. Contrive thy self, (if thou be wise and love thy self) into the greatest difficulties of sinning that thou canst: Make it Impossible if it may be done. The Power is for the act. Desire not to be able to sin, if thou wouldst not sin. Not that Natural power to do go•d should be destroyed because it is also a power to do evil, but cast as many bl•cks in the way of thy sinning as thou canst, till it amount to a moral impossibility. Desire the strictest Laws and Governors, and to be still in the eye of others; and contrive it that thou mayest2 have no hope of secrecy: Contrive it so that it may be utter shame and l•ss to thee if thou sin: If thou be tempted to fornication, never be private with h•r or him that is thy snare: If thou be tempted to deceive and rob those that trust thee, avoid the trust, or if ever thou have done it, restore and confess that shame may preserve thee.