A26892:409
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.
§. 72. Tempt. 6. But, saith the Tempter, they are but sins of ignorance, and therefore they are not reigning 1sins: At least you are not certain that they are sins.
- 1Tempt 6.
§ 73. Direct. 6. And indeed do you not know that it is a sin to love the world better than God?1 and fleshly pleasure better than Gods service; and Riches better than grace and holiness? and to do more for the body than for the soul, and for earth, than for Heaven? Are you uncertain whether these are sins? And do you not feel that they are your sins? You cannot pretend ignorance for these. But what causeth your Ignorance? Is it because you would fain know, and cannot? Do you read, and hear, and study, and enquire, and pray for knowledge, and yet cannot know? Or is it not because you would not know, or think it not worth the pains to get it? or because you love your sin? And will such ⟨p. 34⟩wilful ignorance as this excuse you? No, it doth make your sin the greater. It showeth the greater dominion of sin, when it can use thee as the Philistines, did Sampson, put out thy eyes, and make a •rudge of thee; and conquer thy Reason, and make thee believe that evil is good, and good is evil. Now it hath mastered the principal fortress of thy soul, when thy understanding is mastered by it. He is reconciled indeed to his enemy, who taketh him to be a friend▪ Do you not know, that God should have your heart, and Heaven should have your chiefest care and diligence; and that you should make the Word of God your Rule, and your delight and meditation day and night? If you know not these things, it is because you would not know them. And it is a miserable case to be given up to a blinded mind! Take heed lest at last you commit the horridst sins, and do not know them to be sins. For such there are that mock at Godliness, and persecute Christians and Ministers of Christ, and know not that they do ill, but think they do God service,