A26892:2065
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. III. The Malignity or Greatness of this sin consisteth in these points, (especially when it1 is predominant). 1. The love of the World, or of Riches, is a sin of Deliberation, and not of mere temerity or sudden passion: Worldlings contrive the attaining of their ends. 2. It is a sin of Interest, •ove and Choice, set up against our chiefest Interest: It is the setting up of a false end, and seeking that; and not only a sin of error in the means, or a seeking the right end in a mistaken way. 3. It2 is Idolatry, or a denying God, and deposing him in our hearts, and setting up his creatures in his s••ad, in that measure as it prevaileth. The worldling giveth that Love, and that Trust unto the creature, which is due to God alone: He delighteth in it instead of God, and seeketh and holdeth it as his felicity instead of God: And therefore so far as any man loveth the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 Jo•n 2. 15. And the friendship of the world is enmity to God. 4. It is a contempt of Heaven; when it must be neglected, and a miserable world preferred. 5. It showeth that unbelief prevaileth at the heart, so far as worldliness prevaileth: For if men did practically believe the Heavenly Glory, and the promise thereof, they would be carried above these present things. 6. It is a debasing of the soul of man, and using it like the Brutes, while it is principally set upon the serving of the flesh, and on a temporal felicity, and neglecteth its eternal happiness and concernments.
§. 5. III. The Malignity or Greatness of this sin consisteth in these points, (especially when it1 is predominant). 1. The love of the World, or of Riches, is a sin of Deliberation, and not of meer temerity or sudden passion: Worldlings contrive the attaining of their ends. 2. It is a sin of Interest, •ove and Choice, set up against our chiefest Interest: It is the setting up of a false end, and seeking that; and not only a sin of error in the means, or a seeking the right end in a mistaken way. 3. It