A26892:2341
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.
§. 21. Direct. 7. Let your ordinary Meditations be on the Great and Necessary things; and think 1less frequently on the less Necessary matters. Meditation is but a means to a further end: It is to work some good upon the soul: Use therefore those subjects which are most powerful and fit to work it. Great truths will do great works upon the heart. They are usually the surest and most past controversy and doubt: There is more weight, and substance, and power in one Article of the Creed, or one Petition in the Lords Prayer, or one Commandment in the Decalogue, to benefit the soul, than in abundance of the controverted opinions which men have troubled themselves and others with in all ages. As one purse of Gold, will buy more than a great quantity of Farthings. Meditating on Great and weighty truths, makes Great and weighty Christians. And meditating inordinately on light and controverted opinions, makes light, opinionative, contentious professors. Little things may have their time and place, but it must be but little time and the last place: except when God maketh any little thing to be the matter of our lawful calling and employment, (as all the common matters of the world are little): And then they may have a larger proportion of our time, though still they must have the lowest place in our estimation and in our hearts.
§. 21. Direct. 7. Let your ordinary Meditations be on the Great and Necessary things; and think 1less frequently on the less Necessary matters. Meditation is but a means to a further end: It is to work some good upon the soul: Use therefore those subjects which are most powerful and fit to work it. Great truths will do great works upon the heart. They are usually the surest and most past controversie and doubt: There is more weight, and substance, and power in one Article of the Creed, or one Petition in the Lords Prayer, or one Commandment in the Decalogue, to benefit the soul, than in abundance of the controverted opinions which men have troubled themselves and others with in all ages. As one purse of Gold, will buy more than a great quantity of Farthings. Meditating on Great and weighty truths, makes Great and weighty Christians. And meditating inordinately on light and controverted opinions, makes light, opinionative, contentious professors. Little things may have their time and place, but it must be but little time and the last place: except when God maketh any little thing to be the matter of our lawful calling and employment, (as all the common matters of the world are little): And then they may have a larger proportion of our time, though still they must have the lowest place in our estimation and in our hearts.