A26892:2537
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 7 › Tit. 3. Directions against sinful Desires and Discontent.
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.
§. 3. Direct. 1. Be well acquainted with your own Condition, and consider what it is that you have 1most need of; and then you will find that you have so much grace and mercy to desire for your souls, 2without which you are lost for ever, and that you have a Christ to desire, and an endless life with God to desire, that it will quench all your thirst after the things below. This if any thing will make you wiser; when you see you have greater things to mind. A man that is in present danger of his life, will not be solicitous for pins or fool-gauds: And the hopes of a Lordship or a Kingdom will cure the desire of little things: A man that needeth a Physician for the Dropsy or Consumption, will scarce long for Children's balls or tops. And methinks a man that is going to Heaven or Hell, should have somewhat greater than worldly things to long for. O what a vain and doting thing, is a carnal mind; that hath pardon and grace and Christ and Heaven and God to think of, and that with speed before it be too late; and can forget them all, or not regard them, and eagerly long for some little inconsiderable trifle; as if they said, I must needs taste of such a dish before I dye: I must needs have such a house, or a Child, or friend before I go to another world: O study what need thy distressed soul hath of a Christ, and of peace with God, and preparation for Eternity, and what need thy darkened mind hath of more knowledge, and thy dead and carnal heart of more life and tenderness and Love to God, and communion with him: Feel these as thou hast cause, and the eagerness of thy carnal Desires will be gone.
§. 3. Direct. 1. Be well acquainted with your own Condition, and consider what it is that you have 1most need of; and then you will find that you have so much grace and mercy to desire for your souls, 2without which you are lost for ever, and that you have a Christ to desire, and an endless life with God to desire, that it will quench all your thirst after the things below. This if any thing will make you wiser; when you see you have greater things to mind. A man that is in present danger of his life, will not be sollicitous for pins or fool-gawds: And the hopes of a Lordship or a Kingdom will cure the desire of little things: A man that needeth a Physicion for the Dropsie or Consumption, will scarce long for Childrens balls or tops. And methinks a man that is going to Heaven or Hell, should have somewhat greater than worldly things to long for. O what a vain and doting thing, is a carnal mind; that hath pardon and grace and Christ and Heaven and God to think of, and that with speed before it be too late; and can forget them all, or not regard them, and eagerly long for some little inconsiderable trifle; as if they said, I must needs taste of such a dish before I dye: I must needs have such a house, or a Child, or friend before I go to another world: O study what need thy distressed soul hath of a Christ, and of peace with God, and preparation for Eternity, and what need thy darkened mind hath of more knowledge, and thy dead and carnal heart of more life and tenderness and Love to God, and communion with him: Feel these as thou hast cause, and the eagerness of thy carnal Desires will be gone.