A26892:1231
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.
Part 1 › Chapter 3 › Direction 10 › Directions for faithful serving Christ, and doing Good.
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.
§. 10. Direct. 7. Take special heed that the common Thief, your carnal-self either Personal or in your 1Relations, do not rob God of his expected due, and devour that which he requireth. It is not for nothing that God calleth for the first fruits: Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: so shall thy Barns be filled with plenty, and thy Presses shall burst forth with new wine, Prov. 3. 9, 10. So Exod. 23. 16, 19. & 34. 22, 26. Lev. 2. 12, 14. Nehem. 10. 35. Ezek. 20. 40. & 44. 30. & 48. 14. For if carnal self might first be served, its devouring greediness would leave God nothing: Though he that hath Godliness with contentment hath enough, if he have but food and raiment, yet there will be but enough for themselves and children where men have many hundreds or thousands a year, if once it fall into this Gulf. And indeed as he that begins with God, hath the promise of his bountiful supplies, so he whose flesh must first be served, doth catch such an hydropic thirst for more, that all will but serve it: And the Devil contriveth such necessities to these men, and such Uses for all they have, that they have no more to spare, than poorer men: (and they can allow God no more but the leavings of the flesh, and what it can spare, which commonly is next to nothing.) Indeed though Holy uses in particular were satisfied with first fruits and limited parts yet God must have all, and the flesh (inordinately or finally) have none. Every penny which is laid out upon your selves, and children, and friends, must be done as by Gods own appointment, and to serve and please him. Watch narrowly, or else this thievish carnal self will leave God nothing.