A26892:2140
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.
§. 9. 4. How base an Idol is the Flesh? If all the derision used by Elijah and the Prophets against the Heathenish Idolatry, be due, is not as much due against the Idolatry of all the sensual? Is it so great a madness to serve an Idol of silver, or gold, or stone, or wood? What better is it to serve an Idol of flesh and blood? A paunch of guts? That's full of filth and excrements within, and the skin it self, the cleanest part, is ashamed to be uncovered? We may say to the Carnal worldling as Elijah to the Baalists, and more▪ Call upon your God in the hour of your distress: Cry aloud: Perhaps he is asleep, or he is blowing his nose, or vomiting or purging; Certainly he will be shortly rotting in the grave, more loathsome than the dirt or dung upon the earth: And is this a God to sacrifice all that we can get to? And to give all our time and care and labour, and our souls and all to? O judge of this Idolatry •• God will make you judge at last!
§. 9. 4. How base an Idol is the Flesh? If all the derision used by Elijah and the Prophets against the Heathenish Idolatry, be due, is not as much due against the Idolatry of all the sensual? Is it so great a madness to serve an Idol of silver, or gold, or stone, or wood? What better is it to serve an Idol of flesh and blood? A paunch of gutts? Thats full of filth and excrements within, and the skin it self, the cleanest part, is ashamed to be uncovered? We may say to the Carnal worldling as Elijah to the Baalists, and more▪ Call upon your God in the hour of your distress: Cry aloud: Perhaps he is asleep, or he is blowing his nose, or vomiting or purging; Certainly he will be shortly rotting in the grave, more loathsom than the dirt or dung upon the earth: And is this a God to sacrifice all that we can get to? And to give all our time and care and labour, and our souls and all to? O judge of this Idolatry •• God will make you judge at last!
§. 10. 5. And here next consider, how impious and horrid an abasement it is of the eternal God, to prefer so vile a thing before him? And whether every ungodly sensual man, be not a constant practical Blasphemer? What dost thou but say continually by thy practice, [This dunghill, nasty flesh is to