A26892:2321
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.
§. 2. Direct. 2. Carefully avoid the disease of melancholy: for that dethroneth Reason, and disableth it 1to rule the thoughts. Distraction wholly disableth: but melancholy disableth only in part, according to the measure of its prevalence: and therefore leaveth some room for advice.
§. 2. Direct. 2. Carefully avoid the disease of melancholy: for that dethroneth Reason, and disableth it 1to rule the thoughts. Distraction wholly disableth: but melancholy disableth only in part, according to the measure of its prevalencie: and therefore leaveth some room for advice.
- 1Direct. 2.
§. 3. Direct. 3. Take heed of sloth and negligence of the will, whereby the directions of Reason will be 1unexecuted, for want of Resolution and command; and so every temptation will carry away the thoughts. A lazy coachman will let the horses go which way they list, because he will not strive with them; and will break his neck to save his labour. If when you feel unclean or worldly thoughts invade your minds, you will not give your wills the alarm, and rise up against them, and Resolutely command them out; you will be like a lazy person that lieth in bed while he seeth Thieves robbing his house, and will let all go rather than he will rise and make resistance (A sign that he hath no great riches to lose, or else he would stir for it): And if you see your duty, on what your Thoughts should be employed, and will not resolutely call them up, and command them to their work, you will be like a sluggard that will let all his servants lie in bed, as well as he, because he will not speak to call them. You see by daily experience, that a mans Thoughts are much in the power of his will, and made to obey it: If money and honour or the delight of knowing can cause a wicked Preacher to command his own thoughts, on good things, as aforesaid; you may command yours to the same things, if you will but as resolutely exercise your authority over them.