A26892:2126
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. Every Pleasing of the flesh, which is capable of being referred to a higher end, and is not so referred, and used, is a sin: And there is scarce any thing, which is eligible, which a vacant waking man should deliberate on, but should be referred to a higher end; even to the glory of God, and our salvation; by cheering us up to Love and Thankfulness, and strengthening or fitting us some way for some duty: This is apparently a sin, 1. Because else Flesh-pleasing is made our ultimate end, and the Flesh an Idol, if ever we desire it only for it self, (when it may be referred to a higher end) For though the sensitive Appetite of it self hath no intended end, yet whatsoever the will desireth is either as an End, or as a Means: That which is not desired as a Means to some Higher end, is desired as our ultimate end it ••••, (in that act.) But God only is mans lawful ultimate end.1 2. Because it is against an express command, 1 Cor. 10. 31. [whether ye eat or drink, or whatever ye do, do all to the glory of God.] 3. Because else we shall take Gods creatures in vain, and cast them away in waste. 4. And we shall lose our own Benefit to which the Creature or Pleasure should be improved. 5. And we shall silence Reason, when it should direct; and we shall suspend the Government of the will, and give the government (so long) to the flesh or brutish appetite: For that faculty ruleth, who object is our end. These reasons clearly prove it a sin to terminate our desires in any act of flesh-pleasing as our end, and look no higher, when it is a matter of moral choice and deliberation.
10. Every Pleasing of the flesh, which is capable of being referred to a higher end, and is not so referred, and used, is a sin: And there is scarce any thing, which is eligible, which a vacant waking man should deliberate on, but should be referred to a higher end; even to the glory of God, and our salvation; by cheering us up to Love and Thankfulness, and strengthening or fitting us some way for some duty: This is apparently a sin, 1. Because else Flesh-pleasing is made our ultimate end, and the Flesh an Idol, if ever we desire it only for it self, (when it may be referred to a higher end) For though the sensitive Appetite of it self hath no intended end, yet whatsoever the will desireth is either as an End, or as a Means: That which is not desired as a Means to some Higher end, is desired as our ultimate end it , (in that act.) But God only is mans lawful ultimate end.