A26892:358
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.
§. 23. Direct. 11. But this pretence is compounded of wickedness and madness. What but a wicked 1heart can make it so hard a thing to live in the Love of God and holiness, and in the hopes and seeking of eternal life? Why should not this be a sweeter and pleasanter life, than drinking, and roaring, and gaming, and fooling away time in vain; or than the enjoying of all the delights of the flesh? There's nothing but a sick distempered heart against it, that nauseateth that which in it self is most delightful. When Grace hath changed your hearts, it will be easy. Do you not see that others can hold on in it? and would not be as they were for all the world? And why may not you? God will help you: It is the Office of Christ and the Spirit to help you: Your encouragements are innumerable. The hardness is most at first: It is the longer the easier. But what if it were hard? Is it not necessary? Is Hell easier, and to be preferred before it? And will not Heaven pay for all your cost and labour? Will you sit down in desperation, and resolve to let your salvation go, upon such silly bug-bear words as these?
§. 23. Direct. 11. But this pretence is compounded of wickedness and madness. What but a wicked 1heart can make it so hard a thing to live in the Love of God and holiness, and in the hopes and seeking of eternal life? Why should not this be a sweeter and pleasanter life, than drinking, and roaring, and gaming, and fooling away time in vain; or than the enjoying of all the delights of the flesh? There's nothing but a sick distempered heart against it, that nauseateth that which in it self is most delightful. When Grace hath changed your hearts, it will be easie. Do you not see that others can hold on in it? and would not be as they were for all the world? And why may not you? God will help you: It is the Office of Christ and the Spirit to help you: Your encouragements are innumerable. The hardness is most at first: It is the longer the easier. But what if it were hard? Is it not necessary? Is Hell easier, and to be preferred before it? And will not Heaven pay for all your cost and labour? Will you sit down in desperation, and resolve to let your salvation go, upon such silly bug-bear words as these?
- 1Direct. 11.