A26892:1070
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.
§. 55. Tempt. 16. Also the Devil draweth on the sinner, by promising him that he shall sin but once, 1or but a very few times, and then do so no more: He tells the Thief, and the Fornicator, that if they will do it but this once, they shall be quiet.
- 1Tempt. 16.
§. 56. Direct. 16. But O consider, 1. That one stab at the heart may prove uncurable. God may1 deny thee time or grace to repent. 2. That it is easier to forbear the first time than the second: For one sin disposeth the heart unto another: If you cannot deny the first temptation, how will you deny the next? When you have lost your strength, and grieved your helper, and strengthened your enemy and your snare, will you then resist better wounded, then now when you are whole?
- 1Direct. 16.
§. 57. Tempt. 17. But when the Devil hath prevailed for once with the sinner, he makes that an argument 1for a second: He saith to the Thief, and Drunkard, and Fornicator, It is but the same thing that thou hast done once already: and if once may be pardoned, twice may be pardoned; and if twice, why not thrice, and so on?
- 1Tempt. 17.