A26892:2311
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.
§. 14. Direct. 14. Be not ignorant or neglective of that frame and course of holy duty to God and 1man, in which all your lives should be employed, and you cannot want matter to employ your thoughts 2upon. Your pulse and breath, and natural motions, will hold on whether you think of them or not: But so will not moral holy motion; for that must be rational and voluntary. You have all the powers of soul and body, to exercise either upon God or for God. You must know him, fear him, love him, obey him, trust him, worship him, pray to him, praise him, give thanks to him, bewail your sins, and hear his Word, and reverently use his Name and Day! And is not the understanding and learning how to do all this, and the seasonable serious practice of it all, sufficient to keep the Thoughts from idleness. O what a deal of work doth a serious Christian find for his thoughts, about some one of these? about praying aright, or hearing, or receiving the Sacrament of Christs Body and Blood aright! But besides all these, what a deal of duty have you to perform, to Magistrates, Pastors, Parents, Masters, and other superiors? to subjects, people, children, servants and other inferiors? to every neighbour, for his soul, his body, his estate and name; and to do to all as you would be done by. And besides all this, how much have you to do directly for your selves; for your souls, and bodies, and families, and estates! Against your ignorance, infidelity, pride, selfishness, sensuality, worldliness, passion, sloth, intemperance, cowardice, lust, uncharitableness, &c. Is not here matter for your thoughts?
§. 14. Direct. 14. Be not ignorant or neglective of that frame and course of holy duty to God and 1man, in which all your lives should be employed, and you cannot want matter to employ your thoughts 2upon. Your pulse and breath, and natural motions, will hold on whether you think of them or not: But so will not moral holy motion; for that must be rational and voluntary. You have all the powers of soul and body, to exercise either upon God or for God. You must know him, fear him, love him, obey him, trust him, worship him, pray to him, praise him, give thanks to him, bewail your sins, and hear his Word, and reverently use his Name and Day! And is not the understanding and learning how to do all this, and the seasonable serious practice of it all, sufficient to keep the Thoughts from idleness. O what a deal of work doth a serious Christian find for his thoughts, about some one of these? about praying aright, or hearing, or receiving the Sacrament of Christs Body and Blood aright! But besides all these, what a deal of duty have you to perform, to Magistrates, Pastors, Parents, Masters, and other superiours? to subjects, people, children, servants and other inferiours? to every neighbour, for his soul, his body, his estate and name; and to do to all as you would be done by. And besides all this, how much have you to do directly for your selves; for your souls, and bodies, and families, and estates! Against your ignorance, infidelity, pride, selfishness, sensuality, worldliness, passion, sloth, intemperance, cowardize, lust, uncharitableness, &c. Is not here matter for your thoughts?