A26892:1860
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. 2. Remember also that all men are so selfish, that their expectations will be higher, than you are able to satisfy. They will not consider your hinderances, or avocations, or what you do for others, but most of them look to have as much to themselves, as if you had no body else to mind but them. Many and many a time, when I have had an hour or a day to spend, a multitude have every one expected that I should have spent it with them: When I visit one, there are ten offended that I am not visiting them at the same hour: When I am discoursing with one, many more are offended that I am not speaking to them all at once: If those that I speak to account me courteous, and humble, and respectful, those that I could not speak to, or but in a word, account me discourteous, and morose. How many have censured me, because I have not allowed them the time, which God and Conscience commanded me to spend upon greater and more necessary work? If you have any Office to give, or benefit to bestow, which one only can have, every one thinketh himself the fittest, and when you have pleased one that hath it, you have dipleased all that went without it, and mist of their desires.
§. 37. 2. Remember also that all men are so selfish, that their expectations will be higher, than you are able to satisfie. They will not consider your hinderances, or avocations, or what you do for others, but most of them look to have as much to themselves, as if you had no body else to mind but them. Many and many a time, when I have had an hour or a day to spend, a multitude have every one expected that I should have spent it with them: When I visit one, there are ten offended that I am not visiting them at the same hour: When I am discoursing with one, many more are offended that I am not speaking to them all at once: If those that I speak to account me courteous, and humble, and respectful, those that I could not speak to, or but in a word, account me discourteous, and morose. How many have censured me, because I have not allowed them the time, which God and Conscience commanded me to spend upon greater and more necessary work? If you have any Office to give, or benefit to bestow, which one only can have, every one thinketh himself the fittest, and when you have pleased one that hath it, you have dipleased all that went without it, and mist of their desires.