A26892:2218
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 › Tit. 2. Directions Contemplative for Redeeming Opportunity.
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.
§. 32. Direct. 5. Remember that if thou omit the season, thou art left to uncertainties both for time, 1and means, and grace. Lose this Time, and for ought thou knowest, thou losest all. Or if thou have Time, it may be curst with barrenness, and never fruit may more grow on it: Preachers may be ⟨p. 284⟩taken from thee: and gracious company may be taken from thee. Helps and means may be turned into hinderances and opposition and strong temptations: And then you will find what it was to neglect the season! Or if you have the continuance of all helps and means, how know you that God will set in by his grace, and bless them to you, and move your hearts? He may resolve that if you resist him now, his Spirit shall strive with you no more? If while it is called, to day, you will harden your hearts, he may resolve to leave you to the hardness of Pharaoh, and to get himself a name upon you, and use you as vessels of wrath prepared by your neglect and obstinacy for destruction.
- 1Direct. 5.
§. 33. Direct. 6. Bethink you how all the Creatures keep their proper seasons, in the service which 1God hath appointed them for you. The Sun riseth and setteth in its season, and keepeth its diary and2 annual course; and misseth not a minute. So do the other Celestial motions. You have day and night, and seed time and harvest, Summer and Winter, Spring and Fall, and all exactly in their seasons: Jer. 8. 7. Yea the Stork in the Heavens knoweth her appointed time, and the Turtle and the Crane, and the Swallow observe the time of their coming: but my people know not the judgement of the Lord. Shall only man neglect his season?