A26892:1727
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.
§. 37. Direct. 34. Judge not of so great a cause in a time of Melancholy, when fears and confusions 1make you unfit; But in such a case as that, as also when ever Satan would disturb your settled faith, or tempt you at his pleasure, to be still new questioning resolved cases, and discerned truths, abhor his suggestions, and give them no entertainment in your thoughts, but cast them back into the Tempters face. There is not one Melancholy person of a multitude but is violently assaulted with temptations to blasphemy and unbelief, when they have but half the use of Reason and no composedness of mind to debate such controversies with the Devil: It is not fit for them in this incapacity to hearken to any of those suggestions, which draw them to dispute the foundations of their faith, but to cast them away with resolute abhorrence: Nor should any Christian that is soundly settled on the true foundation, gratify the Devil so much as to dispute with him when ever he provoketh us to it, but only endeavour to strengthen our Faith, and destroy the remnants of unbelief.
§. 37. Direct. 34. Iudge not of so great a cause in a time of Melan•holy, when fears and confusions 1make you unfit; But in such a case as that, as also when ever Satan would disturb your setled faith, or tempt you at his pleasure, to be still new questioning resolved cases, and discerned truths, abhor his suggestions, and give them no entertainment in your thoughts, but cast them back into the Tempters face. There is not one Melancholy person of a multitude but is violently assaulted with temptations to blasphemy and unbelief, when they have but half the use of Reason and no composedness of mind to debate such controversies with the Devil: It is not fit for them in this incapacity to hearken to any of those suggestions, which draw them to dispute the foundations of their faith, but to cast them away with resolute abhorrence: Nor should any Christian that is soundly setled on the true foundation, gratifie the Devil so much as to dispute with him when ever he provoketh us to it, but only endeavour to strengthen our Faith, and destroy the remnants of unbelief.
- 1Direct. 34.