A26892:2329
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.
§. 10. Direct. 10. Above all take heed of sinful Interests and designs; for these are the garrison of Satan, 1and must be battered down before any holy cogitations can take place. He that is set upon a design of rising, or of growing rich, hath something else to do, than to entertain those sober thoughts of things eternal, which are destructive of his carnal design.
§. 10. Direct. 10. Above all take heed of sinful Interests and designs; for these are the garison of Satan, 1and must be battered down before any holy cogitations can take place. He that is set upon a design of rising, or of growing rich, hath something else to do, than to entertain those sober thoughts of things eternal, which are destructive of his carnal design.
- 1Direct. 10.
§. 11. Direct. 11. The impediments of Reasons authority being thus removed, distinguish between your 1occasional, and your stated ordinary course of thoughts! And as your hands have their ordinary stated course of labour, and every day hath its employment which you fore-expect, so let your Thoughts know where is their proper channel, and their every days work: and let holy prudence appoint out proportionable time and service for them. What a life will that man live that hath no known course of labour, but only such as accidentally he is called to? His work must needs be uncertain, various, unprofitable, and uncomfortable, and next to none. And he that hath not a stated course of employment for his thoughts, will have them do him little service. Consider first how much of the day is usually to be spent in common busyness: And then consider, whether it be such, as taketh up your thoughts as well as your hands, or such as leaveth your thoughts at liberty: as a Lawyer, a Physician, a Merchant, and most Tradesmen, must employ their Thoughts to the well-doing of their work: And these must be the more desirous of a seasonable vacant hour for meditation, because their thoughts must be otherwise employed all the rest of the day: But a Weaver, a Taylor, and some other Tradesmen, and day-labourers, may do their work well, and yet have their thoughts free for better things, a great part of the day: These must contrive an ordinary way of employment for their thoughts, when their work doth not require them: and they need no other time for meditation. The rest must entertain some short occasional meditations intermixed with their busyness; but they cannot then have time for more solemn meditation (which differeth from the other as a set prayer from a short ejaculation; or a Sermon from an occasional short discourse): They that have more time for their thoughts must beforehand prudently consider, how much time it is best to spend in meditation, for the increase of Knowledge, and how much for the exercise of holy affections; and on what subject, and in what order; and so to know their ordinary work.