A26892:2193
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.
§. 14. Direct. 7. Remember how much time you have lost already: and therefore if you are not impenitent, 1and insensible of your loss, it will provoke you to redeem with the greater diligence, the remnant which mercy shall vouchsafe you. How much lost you in childhood, youth and riper age! How much have you lost in ignorance? How much in negligence? How much in fleshly pleasure and vanity? How much in worldliness, and many other sins? O that you knew but what a loss it was, if it had been but one year, or week, or day. Do you think you have spent your Time as you should have done? And as beseemed those that had such work to do? If not; do you repent of it, or do you not? If you do not, you have no hope to be forgiven! If you do Repent, you will not sure go on to do the same. Who will believe that he Repents of gaming, revelling, or other idle loss of time, who doth so still while he professeth to Repent? He that hath lost the beginning of the day, must go the faster in the end, if he will perform so great a journey. Can you remember the hours and years that you have misspent, in the follies of childhood, and the vanities of inconsiderate youth, and yet still trifle, and not be provoked by penitent shame and fear to diligence? Have you not yet cast away enough of such a precious treasure, but you will vilify also the little which remains?
§. 14. Direct. 7. Remember how much time you have lost already: and therefore if you are not impenitent, 1and insensible of your loss, it will provoke you to redeem with the greater diligence, the remnant which mercy shall vouchsafe you. How much lost you in childhood, youth and riper age! How much have you lost in ignorance? How much in negligence? How much in fleshly pleasure and vanity? How much in worldliness, and many other sins? O that you knew but what a loss it was, if it had been but one year, or week, or day. Do you think you have spent your Time as you should have done? And as beseemed those that had such work to do? If not; do you repent of it, or do you not? If you do not, you have no hope to be forgiven! If you do Repent, you will not sure go on to do the same. Who will believe that he Repents of gaming, revelling, or other idle loss of time, who doth so still while he professeth to Repent? He that hath lost the beginning of the day, must go the faster in the end, if he will perform so great a journey. Can you remember the hours and years that you have mispent, in the follies of childhood, and the vanities of inconsiderate youth, and yet still trifle, and not be provoked by penitent shame and fear to diligence? Have you not yet cast away enough of such a precious treasure, but you will vilifie also the little which remains?