A26892:2133
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.
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.
17. Yet excessive scrupulousness may be a greater sin, and a greater hinderance in the work of God, than some small excesses of flesh-pleasing, which are committed through ignorance or inadvertency. When an honest heart which preferreth God before the Flesh, and is willing to please him though it displease the flesh, shall yet mistake in some small particulars, or commit some daily errors of infirmity or heedlessness, it is a far less hinderance to the main work of Religion, than if that man should daily perplex his mind with scruples, about every bit he eats, whether it be not too pleasing or too much; and about every word he speaks, and every step he goes, as many poor tempted melancholy persons do; thereby disabling themselves, not only to Love, and Praise and Thankfulness, but even all considerable service.
In sum, All pleasing of the senses, or flesh which is lawful must have these qualifications. 1. Gods Glory must be the ultimate end. 2. The matter must be lawful, and not forbidden. 3. Therefore it must not be to the hinderance of duty. 4. Nor to the drawing of us to sin. 5. Nor to the hurt of our health. 6. Nor too highly valued, or too dearly bought. 7. The measure must be moderate: where any of these are wanting it is sin: And where flesh-pleasing is Habitually in the bent of Heart and Life preferred before the Pleasing of God it proves the soul in captivity to the flesh and in a damnable condition.