A26892:2130
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.
And when the Rest of the Body, and the use of your best Apparel, and moderate feasting, on the Lords Day, and other days of Thanksgiving, do promote the spiritual service of the day, they are good and profitable, but to those that are more hindered by fullness, even abstinence on such days is best. So that the use of the body must be judged of as it is a Means or an Expression of the good or evil of the mind.
And when the Rest of the Body, and the use of your best Apparel, and moderate feasting, on the Lords Day, and other days of Thanksgiving, do promote the spiritual service of the day, they are good and profitable, but to those that are more hindered by fulness, even abstinence on such days is best. So that the use of the body must be judged of as it is a Means or an Expression of the good or evil of the mind.
14. Sometime the present time must be most regarded herein, and sometimes the future. For when some great sin or judgement or other reason calls us to a Fast, when it becomes needful to the ends of that present day, we must do it, though the Body were so weak that it would be somewhat the worse afterward; so be it that the Good which we may expect by it that day, be greater than the good which it is like to deprive us of afterward: otherwise the after loss if greater is more to be avoided.
15. Many things do Remotely fit us for our main end, which nearly and directly seem to have no tendency to it. As those that are only to furnish us with natural strength, and vigour, and alacrity, or to prevent impediments: As a Travellers hood and cloak, and other carriage seem rather to be hinderances to his speed; but yet are necessary for preventing the cold and wet which else might hinder him more: yea, a possible uncertain danger or impediment if great, may be prevented with a certain small impediment. So it is meet that our Bodies be kept in that health and alacrity which is ordinarily necessary to our duty; and in eating and drinking, and lawful recreations, it is not only the next or present duty, which we prepare for, but for the duty which may be very distant.