A26892:2070
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.
§. 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. Math. 6. 19, 20, 21. And moreover, you that are now so covetous for a little more, if you had that, would be as covetous for a little more still; and when you had that, for a little more yet. You would next wear better clothing, and have better fare; and next you would have your house repaired, and then you would have your land enlarged, and then you would have something more for your children; and you would never be satisfied: You think otherwise now; but your hearts deceive you: You do not know them. If you believe me not, judge by the case of other men that have been as confident as you, that if they had but so much or so much they would be content; but when they have it, they would still have more. And this which is your pretence is the common pretence of almost all the covetous: For Lords and Princes think themselves still in as great necessity as you think your selves: As they have more, so they have more to do with it; and usually are still wanting as much as the poor. The question is not How much you desire, but to what use? And to what end, and in what order?
§. 8. 2. Another thinks he is not a worldling, because if he could but have necessaries even food and rayment and conveniencies 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.