A26892:407
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.
§. 70. Tempt. 5. But, saith the Tempter, they are but sins of Omission, and such are not reigning 1sins.
- 1Tempt. 5.
§. 71. Direct. 5. Sins of Omission are always accompanied with some positive sensual affection1 to the creature, which diverteth the soul, and causeth the omission. And so Omission is no small part of the Reigning sin. The not using of Reason and the Will for God, and for the mastering of sensuality, is much of the state of ungodliness in man. Denying God the heart and life, is no small sin. God made you to do good, and not only to do no harm: Else a Stone or Corpse were as good a Christian as you; for they do less harm than you. If sin have a Negative Voice in your Religion, whether God shall be worshipped and obeyed or not, it is your King: It may show its power as well by commanding you not to pray, and not to consider, and not to read, as in commanding you to be drunk or swear. The wicked are described by omissions: such as will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts, Psal. 10. 4. Such as know not God, and call not on his name, Jer. 10. 25. That have no truth, or mercy, or knowledge of God, Hos. 4. 1. That feed not, clothe not, visit not Christ in his members, Matth. 25. that hide their Talents, Matth. 25. Indeed, if God have not your hearts, the creature hath it; and so it is omission and commission that go together in your reigning sin.