A26892:2305
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.
§. 9. Direct. 9. Be not a stranger to the methods, and subtleties and diligence of Satan, in his Temptations 1to undo thy soul, and thou wilt find matter enough to keep thy thoughts from idleness. He is2 thinking how to deceive thee and destroy thee; and doth it not concern thee to think how to defeat him and escape and save thy self? If the hare run not as fast as the dog, he is like to dye for it. O that thy eyes were but opened to see the snares that are laid for thee in thy nature, in thy temperature and passions, in thy interests, thy relations, thy friends and acquaintance, and ordinary company; in thy businesses, and possessions, thy house, and goods, and lands, and cattle, and tenants, and servants, and all that thou▪ tradest with, or hast to do with! in thine apparel and recreations, in thy meat and drink, and sleep, and ease, in prosperity and adversity; in mens good thoughts, or bad thoughts of thee; in their praise and in their dispraise; in their benefits and their wrongs; their favour and in their falling out; in their pleasing or displeasing thee: in thy thinking and in thy speaking, and in every thing that thou hast to do with? Didst thou but see all these temptations, and also see to what they tend, and whither they would bring thee, thou wouldst find matter to cure the idleness or impertinences of thy thoughts.
§. 9. Direct. 9. Be not a stranger to the methods, and subtleties and diligence of Satan, in his Temptations 1to undo thy soul, and thou wilt find matter enough to keep thy thoughts from idleness. He is2 thinking how to deceive thee and destroy thee; and doth it not concern thee to think how to defeat him and escape and save thy self? If the hare run not as fast as the dog, he is like to dye for it. O that thy eyes were but opened to see the snares that are laid for thee in thy nature, in thy temperature and passions, in thy interests, thy relations, thy friends and acquaintance, and ordinary company; in thy businesses, and possessions, thy house, and goods, and lands, and cattel, and tenants, and servants, and all that thou▪ tradest with, or hast to do with! in thine apparel and recreations, in thy meat and drink, and sleep, and ease, in prosperity and adversity; in mens good thoughts, or bad thoughts of thee; in their praise and in their dispraise; in their benefits and their wrongs; their favour and in their falling out; in their pleasing or displeasing thee: in thy thinking and in thy speaking, and in every thing that thou hast to do with? Didst thou but see all these temptations, and also see to what they tend, and whither they would bring thee, thou wouldst find matter to cure the idleness or impertinencies of thy thoughts.