A26892:2252
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.
§. 58. Th. 9. Another Time-wasting Thief is, excess of worldly cares and business. These do not1 only as some more disgraced sins, pollute the soul with deep stains in a little time, and then recede; but they dwell upon the mind, and keep possession, and keep out good: They take up the greatest part of the lives of those that are guilty of them. The world is first in the morning in their thoughts, and last at night, and almost all the day: The world will not give them leave, to entertain any sober fixed thoughts, of the world to come; nor to do the work which all works should give place to. The World devoureth all the Time almost that God and their souls should have: It will not give them leave to Pray, or Read, or Meditate, or Discourse of holy things: even when they seem to be Praying or hearing the Word of God, the World is in their thoughts: And as it's said, Ezek. 33. 31. They come unto thee as the people cometh; and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they show much love; but their heart goeth after their Covetousness: In most families there is almost no talk nor doings but all for the world: These also will know, that they had greater works for their precious time, which should have always had the precedency of the World.
§. 58. Th. 9. Another Time-wasting Thief is, excess of worldly cares and business. These do not1 only as some more disgraced sins, pollute the soul with deep stains in a little time, and then recede; but they dwell upon the mind, and keep possession, and keep out good: They take up the greatest part of the lives of those that are guilty of them. The world is first in the morning in their thoughts, and last at night, and almost all the day: The world will not give them leave, to entertain any sober fixed thoughts, of the world to come; nor to do the work which all works should give place to. The World devoureth all the Time almost that God and their souls should have: It will not give them leave to Pray, or Read, or Meditate, or Discourse of holy things: even when they seem to be Praying or hearing the Word of God, the World is in their thoughts: And as it's said, Ezek. 33. 31