A26892:2132
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.
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.
15. Many things do Remotely fit us for our main end, which neerly and directly seem to have no tendency to it. As those that are only to furnish us with natural strength, and vigor, 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 lawfull recreations, it is not only the next or present duty, which we prepare for, but for the duty which may be very distant.
16. Ordinarily it is safest to be more fearful of excess of fleshly-pleasure, than of defect. For ordinarily we are all very prone to an excess, and also the excess is usually more dangerous. When excess is the Damnation of all or most that ever perish, and Defect is but the Trouble and hinderance, but never or rarely the Damnation of any, it's easy then to see on which side we should be most fearful, cautelous and vigilant.
16. Ordinarily it is safest to be more fearful of excess of fleshly-pleasure, than of defect. For ordinarily we are all very prone to an excess, and also the excess is usually more dangerous. When excess is the Damnation of all or most that ever perish, and Defect is but the Trouble and hinderance, but never or rarely the Damnation of any, it's easie then to see on which side we should be most fearful, cautelous and vigilant.