A26892:1881
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.
§. 56. 21. How can you please men that cannot please themselves? Their own desire and choice will please them but a little while. Like children, they are soon weary of that which they cried for: They must needs have it, and when they have it, it is naught, and cast away: They are neither pleased with it, nor without it. They are like sick persons that long for every meat, or drink they think of: and when they have it, they cannot get it down: For the sickness is still within them that causeth their displeasure. How many do trouble and torment themselves by their passions and folly from day to day? And can you please such self-displeasers?
§. 56. 21. How can you please men that cannot please themselves? Their own desire and choice will please them but a little while. Like children, they are soon weary of that which they cryed for: They must needs have it, and when they have it, it is naught, and cast away: They are neither pleased with it, nor without it. They are like sick persons that long for every meat, or drink they think of: and when they have it, they cannot get it down: For the sickness is still within them that causeth their displeasure. How many do trouble and torment themselves by their passions and folly from day to day? And can you please such self-displeasers?
§. 57. How can you please all others, when you cannot please your selves? If you are persons fearing God, and feel the burden of your sins, and have life enough to be sensible of your diseases, I dare say there are none in the world so displeasing to you, as you are to your selves. You carry that about you, and feel that within you which displeaseth you more than all the enemies you have in the world. Your passions, and corruptions, your want of Love to God, and your strangeness to him and the life to come; the daily faultiness of your duties and your lives, are your daily burden, and displease you most. And if you be not able, and wise, and good enough to please your selves, can you be able, and wise, and good enough to please the world? As your sins are nearest to your selves, so are your graces▪ and as you know more evil by your selves, than others know, so you know more good by your selves. That little fire will not warm all the room, which will not warm the hearth it lieth on.