A26892:1252
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.
§. 28. Direct. 24. Ask your selves seriously how you would wish at death and judgement that you 1had used all your wit, and time, and wealth; and resolve accordingly to use them now. This is an excellent Direction and Motive to you, for doing good and preventing the condemnation which will pass upon unprofitable servants. Ask your selves, will it comfort me more at death or judgement, to think or hear, that I spent this hour in plays or idleness, or in doing good to my self or others? How shall I wish then I had laid out my estate, and every part of it? Reason it self condemneth him that will not now choose the course which then he shall wish that he had chosen, when we foresee the consequence of that day.
- 1Direct. 24.
§. 29. Direct. 25. Understand how much you are beholden to God (and not be to you) in that he 1will employ you in doing any good: and how it is the way of your own receiving; and know the excellency of your work and •nd, that you may do it all with Love and Pleasure. Unacquaintedness with our Master, and with the nature and tendency of our work, is it that maketh it seem tedious and unpleasant to us: And we shall never do it well, when we do it with an ill will, as merely forced. God loveth a cheerful servant; that Loveth his Master and his work. It is the main policy of the Devil to make our duty seem grievous, unprofitable, undesirable and wearisome to us: For a little thing will stop him that goeth unwillingly and in continual pain.
§. 29. Direct. 25. Understand how much you are beholden to God (and not be to you) in that he 1will imploy you in doing any good: and how it is the way of your own receiving; and know the excellency of your work and nd, that you may do it all with Love and Pleasure. Unacquaintedness with our Master, and with the nature and tendency of our work, is it that maketh it seem tedious and unpleasant to us: And we shall never do it well, when we do it with an ill will, as meerly forced. God loveth a cheerful servant; that Loveth his Master and his work. It is the main policie of the Devil to make our duty seem grievous, unprofitable, undesirable and wearisom to us: For a little thing will stop him that goth unwillingly and in continual pain.