A26892:2303
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. 2. Directions to furnish the Mind with good 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.
§. 8. Direct. 8. Be not a stranger to the many sins, and wants, and weaknesses of thy soul, and thou 1never needest to be empty of matter for thy meditations. And though these thoughts be not the sweetest, 2yet thy own folly hath made them necessary. If thou be dangerously sick, or but painfully sore, thou canst scarce forget it: If poverty afflict thee with pinching wants, thy Thoughts are taken up with cares and trouble day and night. If another wrong thee, thou canst easily think on it. And hast thou so often wronged thy God and Saviour, and so unkindly vilified his mercy, and so unthankfully set light by saving Grace, and so presumptuously and securely ventured on his wrath, and yet dost thou find a scarcity of matter for thy meditations? Hast thou all the sins of thy youth, and ignorance to think on, and all the sins of thy rashness and sensuality, and of thy negligence and sloth, and of thy worldliness and selfishness, ambition and pride, thy passions and thy omissions; and all thy sinful thoughts and words, and yet art thou scanted of matter for thy thoughts? Dost thou carry about thee such a body of death? so much selfishness, pride, worldliness, and carnality; so much ignorance, unbelief, averseness to God, and backwardness to all that is spiritual and holy; so much passion, and readiness ⟨p. 301⟩to sin; and yet dost thou not find enough to think on? Look over the sins of all thy life? see them3 in all their aggravations? as they have been committed against knowledge, or means and helps, against mercies, and judgements and thy own vows or promises; in prosperity and under affliction it self; in secret and with others; in thy general and particular calling, and in all thy relations; in every place, and time, and condition that thou hast lived in! thy sins against God directly, and thy injuries or neglects of man! sins against holy duties, and sins in holy duties: in prayer, hearing, reading, Sacraments, meditation, conference, reproofs, and receiving of reproofs from others: thy negligent preparations for death and judgement; the strangeness of thy soul to God and Heaven—Is not here work enough for thy Meditations?
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