A26892:2278
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 6 › Tit. 1. Directions against evil and idle Thoughts.
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.
§. 9. Direct. 8. Keep your souls in a constant and careful obedience unto God: Observe his Law: Be1 continually sensible that you are under his Government; and awed by his authority: Man judgeth not your Thoughts: If you are subject to man only your Thoughts must be ungoverned: But the Heart is the first Object of Gods Government, and that which he principally regardeth. His Laws extend to all your thoughts: And therefore if you know what Obedience to God is, you must know what the obedience of your Thoughts to him is: For he that obeyeth God as God, will obey him in one thing as well as another; and will obey him as the Governor and Judge of Thoughts: The powerful searching word of Christ is a discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the heart, and as a two-edged sword is sharp and quick, and will pierce and cut as deep as the very soul and spirit, Heb. 4. 12, 13. It casteth down every imagination and bringeth into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2 Cor. 10. 5. Therefore David saith to God, search me O God, and know my heart, try me and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139. 23, 24. And you find Gods laws and reproofs extending to the thoughts: Isa. 59. 7. Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity. The fools heart-atheism is rebuked, Psalm. 14. 1. He reproveth a rebellious people, for walking in a way that is not good after their own thoughts, Isa. 65. 2. See how Christ openeth the heart, Matth. 15. 9. He chargeth them, Deut. 15. 9. to beware that there be not a thought in their wicked hearts against the mercy which they must show to the poor.