A26892:365
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.
§. 30. Tempt. 15. Another great Temptation is, the prosperity of the wicked in this life; and the reproach 1and suffering which usually falls upon the godly: If God did strike every notorious sinner dead in the place, as soon as he had sinned, or struck him blind, or dumb, or lame, or inflicted presently some such judgement, then many would fear him, and forbear their sin: But when they see no men prosper so much as the most ungodly, and that they are the persecutors of the holy seed, and that sentence against an evil work is not speedily executed, then are their hearts set in them to do evil, Eccles. 8. 11.
- 1Tempt. 15.
§. 31. Direct. 15. But alas, how short is the prosperity of the wicked! Read Psal. 73. & 37. Delay1 is no forgiveness: They stay but till the Assize: And will that tempt you to do as they? How unthankfully do sinners deal with with God! If he should kill you and plague you, that would not please you: And yet if he forbear you, you are emboldened by it in your sin. Thus his patience is turned against him: But the stroke will be the heavier when it falls! Dost thou think those men will always flourish! Will they alway domineer and revel! Will they always dwell in the houses where they now dwell, and possess those Lands, and be honoured and served as now they are! O how quickly and how dreadfully will the case be changed with them! O could you but foresee now what faces they will have, and what heavy hearts, and with what bitter exclamations they will at last cry out against themselves, for all their folly, and wish that they had never been deceived by prosperity; but rather had the portion of a Lazarus! If you saw how they are but fatted for the slaughter, and in what a dolorous misery their wealth, and sport, and honours will leave them, you would lament their case, and think so great a destruction were soon enough, and not desire to be partners in their lot!