A26892:2069
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.
§. 7. V. The counterfeits of liberality or freedom from covetousness which deceive the worldling are such as these. 1. He thinks he is not Covetous because he hath a necessity of doing what he doth for more: Either he is in debt or he is poor, and scarcely hath whereon to live; And the poor think that none are worldlings and covetous but the Rich. But he may love riches that wanteth them, as much as he that hath them: If you have a necessity of labouring in your callings, you have no necessity of loving the world, or of caring inordinately, or of being discontented with your estate: Impatience under your wants, shows a love of the world and flesh, as much as other mens bravery that possess it.
§. 7. V. The counterfeits of liberality or freedom from covetousness which deceive the worldling are such as these. 1. He thinks he is not Covetous because he hath a necessity of doing what he doth for more: Either he is in debt or he is poor, and scarcely hath whereon to live; And the poor think that none are worldlings and covetous but the Rich. But he may love riches that wanteth them, as much as he that hath them: If you have a necessity of labouring in your callings, you have no necessity of loving the world, or of caring inordinately, or of being discontented with your estate: Impatience under your wants, shews a love of the world and flesh, as much as other mens bravery that possess it.
§. 8. 2. Another thinks he is not a worldling, because if he could but have necessaries even food and raiment and conveniences for himself and family, he would be content; and it is not riches or great matters that he desireth. But if your hearts are more set upon the getting of these necessaries or little 1things, than upon the preparing for death, and making sure of the Heavenly treasure, you are miserable worldlings still: And the poor man that will set his heart more upon a poor and miserable life, than upon heaven, is more unexcusable than he that setteth his heart more upon Lordships and Honours than upon Heaven: Though both of them are but the slaves of the world, and have as yet no treasure in Heaven.