A26892:402
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.
§. 65. Direct. 2. But do you think it is no mortal heinous sin, to be void of the Love of God and1 holiness? to Love the flesh and the world above him? to set more by Earth than Heaven, and do more for it? However they show themselves, these are the great and mortal sins. Sin is not less dangerous for lying secret in the heart. The root and heart are usually unseen. Some Kings (as in China, Persia, &c.) keep out of sight for the honour of their Majesty. Kings are the spring of Government, but actions of State are executed by Officers. When you see a man go or work, you know that it is something within which is the Cause of all. If sin appeared without, as it is within, it would lose much of its Power and Majesty. Then Ministers, and friends, and every good man would cast a stone at it: but its secrecy is its peace. The Devil himself prevaileth by keeping out of sight. If he were seen, he would be less obeyed. So is it with the Reigning sins of the heart: Pride and Covetousness may be Reigning sins, though they appear not in any notorious disgraceful course of life. David's hiding his sin, or Rachel her Idol, made them not the better. It is a mercy to some men,2 that God permitteth them to fall into some open scandalous sin, which may tend to humble them, who would not have been humbled nor convinced by heart-sins alone. An Oven is hottest when it is stopped.
§. 65. Direct. 2. But do you think it is no mortal heinous sin, to be void of the Love of God and1 holiness? to Love the flesh and the world above him? to set more by Earth than Heaven, and do more for it? However they shew themselves, these are the great and mortal sins. Sin is not less dangerous for lying secret in the heart. The root and heart are usually unseen. Some Kings (as in China, Persia, &c.) keep out of sight for the honour of their Majesty. Kings are the spring of Government, but actions of State are executed by Officers. When you see a man go or work, you know that it is something within which is the Cause of all. If sin appeared without, as it is within, it would lose much of its Power and Majesty. Then Ministers, and friends, and every good man would cast a stone at it: but its secresie is its peace. The Devil himself prevaileth by keeping out of sight. If he were seen, he would be less obeyed. So is it with the Reigning sins of the heart: Pride and Covetousness may be Reigning sins, though they appear not in any notorious disgraceful course of life. David's hiding his sin, or Rachel her Idol, made them not the better. It is a mercy to some men,