A26892:1249
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.
§. 26. Direct. 21. Especially be sure that you live not out of a calling, that is, such a stated course 1of employment, in which you may best be serviceable to God. Disability indeed is an unresistible impediment. Otherwise no man must either live idly, or content himself with doing some little chars2 as a recreation or on the by: But every one that is able, must be statedly, and ordinarily employed in such work, as is serviceable to God, and the common Good. Quest. But will not wealth excuse us? Answ. It may excuse you from some sordid sort of work, by making you more serviceable in other: but you are no more excused from service and work of one kind or other, than the poorest man: Unless you think that God requireth least, where He giveth most. Quest. Will not age excuse us? Answ. Yes, so far as it disableth you; but no further. Object. But I am turned out of my calling. Answ. You are not turned out of the service of God: He calleth you to that▪ or to another. Quest. But may I not cast off the world, that I may only think of my salvation▪ Answ. You may cast off all such excess of worldly cares or business as unnecessarily hinder you in spiritual things: But you may not cast off all bodily employment and mental labour in which you may serve the common Good. Every one that is a member of Church or common-wealth must employ their parts to the utmost for the good of the Church and common-wealth: Public service is Gods greatest service. To neglect this, and say, I will pray and meditate, is as if your servant should refuse your greatest work, and tie himself to some lesser easy part: And God hath commanded you some way or other to labour for your daily bread and not to live as drones on the sweat of others only. Innocent Adam was put into the Garden of Eden to dress it: And fallen man must eat his bread in the sweat of his brows: Gen. 3. 19. And he that will not work must be forbidden to eat, 2 Thes. 3. 6, 10, 12. And indeed it is necessary to our selves, for the health of our bodies, which will grow diseased with idleness; and for the help of our souls, which will fail if the body fail: And man in flesh must have work for his body as well as for his soul: