A26892:2394
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.
Part 1 › Chapter 6 › Tit. 5. Directions to the Melancholy about their Thoughts.
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.
§. 7. Direct. 3. Meditation is no duty at all for a melancholy person, except some few that are able to 1bear a diverting meditation, which must be of something farthest from the matter which troubled them: Or except it be short meditations, like ejaculatory prayers. A set and serious meditation will but confound you, and disturb you, and disable you to other duties. If a man have a broken leg, he must not go on it, till its knit, lest all the body fare the worse. It is your Thinking faculty, or your Imagination which is the broken pained part: and therefore you must not use it, about the things that trouble you. Perhaps you'll say, That this is to be profane and forget God and your soul and let the tempter have his will. But, I answer; No: It is but to forbear that which you cannot do at present, that by doing other things which you can do, you may come again to do this which you now cannot do: It is but to forbear attempting that, which will but make you less able to do all other duties. And at the present, you may conduct the affairs of your soul by holy Reason; I persuade you not from Repenting or Believing, but from set, and long, and deep Meditations, which will but hurt you.
§. 7. Direct. 3. Meditation is no duty at all for a melancholy person, except some few that are able to 1bear a diverting meditation, which must be of something farthest from the matter which troubled them: Or except it be short meditations, like ejaculatory prayers. A set and serious meditation will but confound you, and disturb you, and disable you to other duties. If a man have a broken leg, he must not go on it, till its knit, lest all the body fare the worse. It is your Thinking faculty, or your Imagination which is the broken pained part: and therefore you must not use it, about the things that trouble you. Perhaps you'll say, That this is to be prophane and forget God and your soul and let the tempter have his will. But, I answer; No: It is but to forbear that which you cannot do at present, that by doing other things which you can do, you may come again to do this which you now cannot do: It is but to forbear attempting that, which will but make you less able to do all other duties. And at the present, you may conduct the affairs of your soul by holy Reason; I perswade you not from Repenting or Believing, but from set, and long, and deep Meditations, which will but hurt you.