A26892:1788
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.
§. 5. The Hypocrites Ends in his pretences and dissemblings are not all the same: One intendeth the pleasing of Parents or some friends on whom he doth depend that will else be displeased with him, and think ill of him: Another intendeth the pleasing of the higher powers, when it falls out that they are friends to Godliness: Another intends the preserving of his esteem with religious persons, that they may not judge him wicked and profane. Another intendeth the hiding of some particular villainy, or the success of some ambitious enterprise. But the most common end is to quiet and comfort their guilty souls, with an Image of that Holiness which they are without, and to steal some peace to their Consciences by a lie: And so because they will not be Religious indeed, they will take up some show or image of Religion, to make themselves as well as others believe that they are Religious.
§. 5. The Hypocrites Ends in his pretenses and dissemblings are not all the same: One intendeth the pleasing of Parents or some friends on whom he doth depend that will else be displeased with him, and think ill of him: Another intendeth the pleasing of the higher powers, when it falls out that they are friends to Godliness: Another intends the preserving of his esteem with religious persons, that they may not judge him wicked and prophane. Another intendeth the hiding of some particular villany, or the success of some ambitious enterprise. But the most common end is to quiet and comfort their guilty souls, with an Image of that Holiness which they are without, and to steal some peace to their Consciences by a lie: And so because they will not be Religious indeed, they will take up some shew or image of Religion, to make themselves as well as others believe that they are Religious.
§. 6. Direct. 1. To escape Hypocrisy understand well wherein the life and power of Godliness doth consist, 1and wherein it differeth from the lifeless Image or Corps of Godliness. The life of Godliness is expressed in the 17 Grand Directions in Chap. 4. It principally consisteth in such a faith in Christ as causeth us to Love God above all, and obey him before all, and prefer his favour and the hopes of Heaven before all the pleasures, or profits or honours of the world: and to worship him in spirit and truth according to the direction of his word. The Images of Religion I showed you before §. 3. Take heed of such a lifeless Image.