A26892:2337
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.
§. 17. Direct. 3. You must also know what subject is then most seasonable for your thoughts, and 1refuse even an unseasonable good. For good may be used by unseasonableness to do hurt. It may be thrust in by the Tempter, on purpose to divert you from some greater good, or to mar some other duty in hand: So he will oft put in some good meditation to turn you from a better, or in the midst of Sermon, or Prayer: or if he see you out of temper to perform a duty of meditation, or that you have no leisure, without neglecting your more proper work, he will then drive you on, that by the issue he may discourage and hurt you, and make the duty unprofitable and grievous to you, and make you more averse to it afterwards. Untimely duty may be no duty, but a sin, which is covered with the material good. As the Pharisees Sabbath-rest was, when Mercy called them to violate it.
§. 17. Direct. 3. You must also know what subject is then most seasonable for your thoughts, and 1refuse even an unseasonable good. For good may be used by unseasonableness to do hurt. It may be thrust in by the Tempter, on purpose to divert you from some greater good, or to mar some other duty in hand: So he will oft put in some good meditation to turn you from a better, or in the midst of Sermon, or Prayer: or if he see you out of temper to perform a duty of meditation, or that you have no leisure, without neglecting your more proper work, he will then drive you on, that by the issue he may discourage and hurt you, and make the duty unprofitable and grievous to you, and make you more averse to it afterwards. Untimely duty may be no duty, but a sin, which is covered with the material good. As the Pharisees Sabboth-rest was, when Mercy called them to violate it.
- 1Direct. 3.
§. 18. Direct. 4. Examine well, and determine of the End and Use of your meditations before you