A26892:1053
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.
§. 38. Direct. 7. Keep a continual watch upon your thoughts: Remember that this is the common1 entrance of the greatest sins: And if they go no further, the searcher of hearts will judge thee for the adultery, murder, and other sins of thy heart, But especially see that your thoughts be so employed on better things, that sin may never find them vacant.
- 1Direct. 7.
§. 39. Tempt. 8. The Tempter also is diligent to keep the end from the sinners eye, and to persuade 1him, that there is no danger in it, and that it will be as good at last as at first: He cannot endure a thought, a word of death or judgement, unless he can first fortify the sinner by some presumptuous hope, that his sons are pardoned, and his case is good: either he will make them believe him that there is no such danger to the soul as should debtor them; or else he keepeth them from thinking of that danger. He is loth a sinner should so much as look into a grave, or go to the house of mourning, and see the end of all the living, lest he should lay it to heart, and thence perceive what worldly pleasure, wealth and greatness is, by seeing where it leaveth sinners. If one do but talk of death or judgement, and the life to come, the Devil will stir up some scorn, or weariness, or opposition against such discourse: If a sinner do but bethink himself in secret, what will become of him after death, the Devil will either allure him, or trouble him, and never let him rest, till he have cast away all such thoughts as tend to his salvation. He cannot endure when you see the pomp and pleasure of the world, that you should think or ask▪ How long will this endure? And what will it prove in the latter end?
§. 39. Tempt. 8. The Tempter also is diligent to keep the end from the sinners eye, and to perswade