A26892:2074
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.
§. 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.
§. 13. 7. Another thinks he is no worldling because he hath some thoughts of Heaven, and is loth to be damned when he can keep the world no longer, and prayeth often, and perhaps fasteth with the Pharisee twice a week, and giveth alms often, and payeth tithes, and wrongeth no man. But1 the Pharisees were covetous for all these: Luke 16. 14. The question is not whether you think of Heaven, and do something for it? But whether it be Heaven or Earth which you seek first, and make the end of all things else, which all are referred to: Every worldling knoweth that he must die, and therefore he would have Heaven at last for a reserve, rather than Hell. But where is it that you are laying up your treasure, and that you place all your Happiness and hopes? And where are your hearts?