A26892:2318
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.
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.
Tit. 3. Directions how to make good Thoughts effectual: or, General Directions for Meditation.
Here some Directions are preparatory, and some about the Work it self.
HEre some Directions are preparatory, and some about the Work it self.
§. 1. Direct. 1. Be sure that Reason maintain its authority in the command and government of 1your thoughts; and that they be not left masterless to fancy and passion, and objects to carry them which way they please. Diseased melancholy and crazed persons have almost no power over their own Thoughts: They cannot command them to what they would have them exercised about, nor call them off from any thing that they run out upon; but they are like an unruly horse, that hath a weak rider, or hath cast the rider; or like a masterless dog, that will not go or come at your command. Whereas our Thoughts should be at the direction of our Reason, and the command of the will, to go and come off as soon as they are bid. As you see a student can rule his Thoughts all day: he can appoint them what they shall meditate on and in what order, and how long: So can a Lawyer, a Physician, and all sorts of men about the matters of their arts and callings. And so it should be with a Christian about the matters of his soul: All Rules of Direction are to little purpose, with them whose Reason hath lost its power, in governing their thoughts. If I tell a man that is deeply melancholy, Thus and thus you must order your thoughts! He will tell me that he cannot: His thoughts are not in his power. If you would give never so much he is not able, to forbear thinking of that which is his disturbance, nor to command his thoughts to that which you direct him, nor to think but as he doth, even as his disease and trouble moveth him. And what good will precepts do to such? Grace and doctrine and exhortation work by Reason and the commanding will. If a holy person could manage his practical heart-raising meditations, but as orderly, and constantly, and easily as a carnal covetous Preacher can manage his thoughts in studying the same things, for carnal ends (to make a gain of them or to win applause) how happily would our work go on? And is it not sad to think that carnal ends should do so much more than spiritual, about the same things?