A26892:2247
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. 4. The Thieves or Time-wasters to be watchfully avoided.
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.
I speak not for a Cynical morosity or unsociableness: When Conscience is awakened, and you come to your selves, and approaching death shall better acquaint you with the worth of Time, you will see a mean between these two;1 and you will wish you had most feared the Time-wasting prodigal extreme. Methinks you should freely give me leave to say, that though Martha had a better excuse than you, and was cumbered about many things for the entertainment of such a guest as Christ himself (with all his followers) who looked for no curiosity, yet Mary is more approved of by Christ, who neglected all this, to Redeem the Time for the good of her soul, by sitting at his feet to hear his Word: she chose the better part, which shall not be taken from her. Remember I pray you, that One thing is necessary: I hope I may have leave to tell you, that if by you or your servants, God, and your souls, and prayer, and reading the Scriptures, and the profitable labours of an honest Calling, be all or any of them neglected, while you or they are neatifying this room, or washing out that little spot, or setting strait2 the other wrinkle, or are taken up with feminine trifling, proud curiosities, this is a preferring of dust before Gold, of the least before the greatest things: And to say, that decency is commendable, is no excuse for neglecting God, your souls, or families, or leaving undone any one greater work, which you or your servants might have been doing that while: I say, any work that is greater all things considered. O that you and your families would but live, as those that see how fast Death cometh! how fast Time goeth? and what you have to do? and what your unready souls yet want? This is all that I desire of you: And then I warrant you, it would save you many a precious hour, and cut short your works of curiosity, and deliver you from your slavery to Pride, and the esteem of vain Time-wasters.
I speak not for a Cynical morosity or unsociableness: When Conscience is awakened, and you come to your selves, and approaching death shall better acquaint you with the worth of Time, you will see a mean between these two;1 and you will wish you had most feared the Time-wasting prodigal extream. Methinks you should freely give me leave to say, that though Martha had a better excuse than you, and was cumbered about many things for the entertainment of such a guest as Christ himself (with all his followers) who lookt for no curiosity, yet Mary is more approved of by Christ, who neglected all this, to Redeem the Time for the good of her soul, by sitting at his feet to hear his Word: she chose the better part, which shall not be taken from her. Remember I pray you, that One thing is necessary: I hope I may have leave to tell you, that if by you or your servants, God, and your souls, and prayer, and reading the Scriptures, and the profitable labours of an honest Calling, be all or any of them neglected, while you or they are neatifying this room, or washing out that little spot, or setting strait