A26892:2199
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.
Many thousands would have don• better in their preparations if they had known the period of their time. Matth. 24. 43. But know this, that if the good man of the house, had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up: Therefore be ye also ready: For in such an hour as ye think not, the son of man cometh: Mar. 13. 33. Take ye heed watch and pray; for ye know not when the time is.
§. 19. Direct. 12. Never forget what attendance thou hast while thou art idling or sinning away thy 1Time: How the patience and mercy of God are staying for thee: And how Sun and Moon and all the creatures are all the while attending on thee? And must God stand by, while thou art yet a little longer abusing and offending him? Must God stay till thy Cards, and Dice, and Pride, and worldly unnecessary cares will dismiss thee, and spare thee for his service? Must he wait on the Devil and the world and the flesh; to take their leavings, and stay till they have done with thee? Canst thou marvel if he make thee pay for this? If he turn away and leave thee to spend thy time, in as much vanity and idleness as thou desirest? Must God and all his creatures wait, on a careless sinner, while he is at his fleshly pleasures? Must life and time be continued to him, while he is doing nothing that is worthy of his Life and time? The long suffering of God did wait on the disobedient in the days of Noah: 1 Pet. 3. 20. But how dear did they pay for the contempt of this forbearance?
- 1Direct. 12.