A26892:2178
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.
Part 1 › Chapter 5 › The Directions contemplative for Redeeming Time.
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.
The Directions contemplative for Redeeming Time.
§. 8. Direct. 1. Still keep upon thy Heart by Faith and Consideration, the lively sense of the Greatness 1and absolute necessity of that work, which must command thy Time; remembering who setteth thee on work, and on what a work he sets thee, and on what terms, and what will be the end. It is God that calleth thee to labour: And wilt thou stand still or be doing other things, when God expecteth duty from thee? Moses must go to Pharaoh when God bids him go: Jonah must go to Nineveh when God bids him go: yea Abraham must go to Sacrifice his Son when God bids him go. And may you go about your fleshly pleasures, when God commandeth you to his service? He hath appointed you a work that is worth your Time and all your labour; to know him, and serve him and obey him, and to seek everlasting life! How diligently should so excellent a work be done? and so blessed and glorious a master be served? especially considering the unutterable importance of our diligence! we are in the race appointed us by our Maker, and are to Run for an immortal Crown: It's Heaven that must be now won or lost: And have we Time to spare in such a race? We are fighting against the enemies of our salvation; The question is now to be resolved, whether the Flesh, the World and the Devil, or We, shall win the day, and have the victory. And Heaven or Hell must be the issue of our warfare: And have we Time to spare in the midst of such a fight? when our very loss of Time, is no small part of the enemies conquest? Our most wise Omnipotent Creator hath been pleased to make this present life to be the trying preparation for another, resolving that it shall go with us all for ever, according to our preparations here: And can we play and loiter away our Time, that have such a work as this to do. O miserable senseless souls! do you believe indeed the Life everlasting and that all your lives are given you now, to resolve the question whether you must be in Heaven or Hell for ever? Do you believe this? Again I ask you, Do you believe this? I beseech you ask your Consciences over and over, whether you do indeed believe it? Can you believe it, and yet have Time to spare? what! find Time to play away, and game away, and idle and prate away, and yet believe that this very Time is given you to prepare for life eternal? and that salvation or damnation lieth on the race which now, even now, you have to run?