A26892:2085
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.
§. 23. Direct. 2. Seriously consider of your everlasting state, and how much greater things than Riches 1you have to mind: Behold by faith the endless joys which you may have with God, and the endless misery which worldlings must undergo in Hell. There is no true cure for an earthly mind, but by showing it the far greater matters to be minded: by acquainting it better with its own concernments; and with the greater miseries than poverty or want which we have to scape; and the greater good ⟨p. 278⟩than worldly plenty which we have to seek. Its want of faith that makes men worldlings: They see not what is in another world: They say their creed, but do not heartily believe the day of Judgement, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. There is not a man of them all, but if he had one sight of Heaven and Hell, would set lighter by the world than ever he did before; and would turn his covetous cares and toil, to a speedy and diligent care of his salvation. If he heard the joyful praises of the saints, and the woeful lamentations of the damned, but one day or hour, he would think ever after that he had greater matters to mind, than the scraping together a heap of wealth▪ Remember man that thou hast another world to live in; and a far longer life to make provision for; and that thou must be in Heaven or Hell for ever: This is true, whether thou believe it or not: And thou hast no time but this to make all thy preparation in: And as thou believest and livest and labourest now, it must go with thee to all eternity: Th•se are matters worthy of thy care: Canst thou2 have while to make such a pother here in the dust, and care and labour for a thing of nought, while thou h•st such things as these to care for, and a work of such transcendent consequence to do? Can a man that understands what Heaven and Hell is, find room for any needless matters, or time for so much unnecessary work? The providing for thy salvation is a thing that God hath made thy own work, much more than the providing for the flesh. When he speaks of thy Body, he saith, T•k• no thought for your life, what you shall eat or drink, nor for your body what you shall put on—for your father knoweth that ye have need of all these things,