A26892:2399
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.
§. 12. Direct. 8. When blasphemous or disturbing thoughts look in or fruitless musings, presently meet 1them and use that authority of Reason which is left you, to cast them and command them out. If you have not lost it, Reason and the will have a command over the thoughts as well as over the tongue, or hands, or feet. And as you would be ashamed to run up and down, or fight with your hands, and say, I cannot help it; or to let your tongue run all day, and say, I cannot stop it; so should you be ashamed to let your Thoughts run at random, or on hurtful things, and say, I cannot help it Do you do the best you can to help it? Cannot you bid them be gone? Cannot you turn your thoughts to something else? Or cannot you rouse up your self, and shake them off? Some by casting a little cold water in their own faces, or bidding another do it, can rouse themselves from melancholy musings as from sleep. Or cannot you get out of the room, and set your self about some business which will divert you? You might do more than you do, if you were but willing, and knew how much it is your duty.
§. 12. Direct. 8. When blasphem•us or disturbing thoughts look in or fruitless musings, presently meet 1them and use that authority of Reason which is left you, to cast them and command them out. If you have not lost it, Reason and the will have a command over the thoughts as well as over the tongue, or hands, or feet. And as you would be ashamed to run up and down, or fight with your hands, and say, I cannot help it; or to let your tongue run all day, and say, I cannot stop it; so should you be ashamed to let your Thoughts run at random, or on hurtful things, and say, I cannot help it Do you do the best you can to help it? Cannot you bid them be gone? Cannot you turn your thoughts to something else? Or cannot you rowze up your self, and shake them off? Some by casting a little cold water in their own faces, or bidding another do it, can rowze themselves from melancholy musings as from sleep. Or cannot you get out of the room, and set your self about some business which will divert you? You might do more than you do, if you were but willing, and knew how much it is your duty.
- 1Direct. 8.