A26892:2063
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.
§. 3. II. But Worldliness or sinful Love of Riches is, 1. When Riches are loved, and desired, and1 sought more for the Flesh, than for God or our Salvation: even as the matter or means of our worldly prosperity, that the flesh may want nothing to please it and satisfy its desires. Or that Pride may have enough wherewith to support it self, by gratifying and obliging others, and living at those rates, and in that splendour, as may show our Greatness, or further our Domination over others. 2. And when we therefore desire them in that proportion which we think most agreeable to these carnal ends, and are not contented with our daily bread, and that proportion which may sustain us as passengers to Heaven, and tend most to the securing of our souls, and to the service of God. So that it is the end by which a sinful Love of Riches is principally to be discerned, when they are l•ved for pride or flesh-pleasing, as they are the matter of a worldly corporal felicity; and not principally for God and his service, and servants, and our salvation. And indeed as Sensualists love them, they should be hated.
§. 3. II. But Worldliness or sinful Love of Riches is, 1. When Riches are loved, and desired, and1 sought more for the Flesh, than for God or our Salvation: even as the matter or means of our worldly prosperity, that the flesh may want nothing to please it and satisfie its desires. Or that Pride may have enough wherewith to support it self, by gratifying and obliging others, and living at those rates, and in that splendour, as may shew our Greatness, or further our Domination over others. 2. And when we therefore desire them in that proportion which we think most agreeable to these carnal ends, and are not contented with our daily bread, and that proportion which may sustain us as passengers to Heaven, and tend most to the securing of our souls, and to the service of God. So that it is the end by which a sinful Love of Riches is principally to be discerned, when they are l•ved for pride or flesh-pleasing, as they are the matter of a worldly corporal felicity; and not principally for God and his service, and servants, and our salvation. And indeed as Sensualists love them, they should be hated.