A26892:2405
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.
§. 18. Direct. 14. Make not too great a matter of your own thoughts; and take not too much notice 1of them; but if Satan cast in molesting thoughts, if you cannot cast them out, set light by them, and take less notice of them. Making a great matter of every Thought that is cast into your mind, will keep those thoughts in your mind the longer: For that which we are most sensible of, we most think on: And that which we least regard, we least remember: If you would never be rid of them, the way is to be still noting them, and making too great a matter of them. These troublesome thoughts are like troublesome scolds, that if you regard them and answer them will never have done with you: But if you let them talk, and take no notice of them, nor make no answer to them, they will be weary and give over. The Devils design is to vex and disquiet you: And if he see you will not be vexed and disquieted, he will give over attempting it. I know you'll say, should I be so ungodly as to make light of such sinful thoughts? I answer, make not so light of them as to be indifferent what thoughts are in your mind, nor so as to take the smallest sin to be none: But make so light of them as not to take them for greater or more dangerous sins than they are: And so light of them as not to take distinct particular notice of them; nor to disquiet your selves about them: For if you do, you will have no room in your thoughts for Christ and Heaven, and that which should take up your thoughts; but the Devil will rejoice to see how he employeth you in thinking over your own thoughts, or rather, his temptations; and that he can employ you all the day in hearkening to all that he will say to you, and in thinking of his motions instead of thinking on the works of God. There are none of Gods servants without irregularities and sin of thoughts: Which they must daily ask forgiveness of, and rejoice to think that they have a sufficient Saviour and remedy, and that sin shall but occasion the magnifying of grace: But if they should excessively observe and be troubled at every unwarrantable thought, it would be a snare to take them off almost all their greater duties. Would you like it in your servant, if he should stop in observing and troubling himself about every ordinary imperfection in his work, instead of going on to do it?
§. 18. Direct. 14. Make not too great a matter of your own thoughts; and take not too much •otice 1