A26892:2072
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.
§. 10. 4. Another thinks he is no worldling because he useth no unlawful means, but the labour of his calling, to grow rich. The same answer serves to this. The love of wealth for the satisfying of the flesh is unlawful, whatever the means be: And is it not also an unlawful means of getting, to neglect God and your souls, and the poor, and shut out other duties for the world, as you often do?
§. 11. 5. Another thinks he is no worldling because he is contented with what he hath, and coveteth no more. When that which he hath is a full provision for his fleshly desires. But if you overlove the world, and delight more in it than God, you are worldlings though you desire no more. He is described by Christ as a miserable worldly fool, Luke 12. 19, 20. that saith, [Soul take thy ease, eat, drink and be merry, thou hast much goods laid up for many years.] To overlove what you have is worldliness as well as to desire more.
§. 12. 6. Another thinks he is no worldling, because he gives God thanks for what he hath, and asked it of God in prayer. But if thou be a Lover of the world, and make provision for the desires of the flesh, it is but an aggravation of thy sin, to desire God to be a servant to thy fleshly lusts, and to thank him for satisfying thy sinful desires: Thy prayers and thanks are profane and carnal: They were no service to God but to thy flesh: As if a drunkard or a glutton should beg of God provision for their greedy throats, and thank him for it when they have it: Or a fornicator should pray God to be a pander to his lusts, and then thank him for it: Or a wanton gallant should make fine clothes and gallantry, the matter of his prayer and thanksgiving.
§. 12. 6. Another thinks he is no worldling, because he gives God thanks for what he hath, and asked it of God in prayer. But if thou be a Lover of the world, and make provision for the desires of the flesh, it is but an aggravation of thy sin, to desire God to be a servant to thy fleshly lusts, and to thank him for satisfying thy sinful desires: Thy prayers and thanks are prophane and carnal: They were no service to God but to thy flesh: As if a drunkard or a glutton should beg of God provision for their greedy throats, and thank him for it when they have it: Or a fornicator should pray God to be a pandor to his lusts, and then thank him for it: Or a wanton gallant should make fine clothes and gallantry, the matter of his prayer and thansgiving.