A26892:433
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.
§. 4. But alas, poor Ministers find by sad experience, that all prove not Saints that flock to hear them, and make up the crowd, nor that for a season rejoice in their light, and magnify them, and take their parts: The blossom hath its beauty and sweetness; but all that blossometh or appeareth in the bud, doth not come to perfect fruit: Some will be blasted; and some blown down; some nipped with ••osts; some eaten by Worms; some quickly fall; and some hang on till the strongest blasts do cast them down: some are deceived and poisoned by false Teachers: some by worldly cares, and the deceitfulness of riches, become unfruitful and are turned aside: The lusts of some had deeper rooting then the Word: And the friends of some had greater interest in them than Christ, and therefore they forsake him to satisfy their importunity: some are corrupted by the hopes of preferment, or the favour of man: some feared from Christ by their threats and frowns, and choose to venture on damnation, to scape persecution: And some are so worldly wise, that they can see reason to remit their zeal, and can save their souls and bodies too, and prove that to be their duty, which other men call sin (if the end will but answer their expectations): And some grow weary of truth and duty as a dull and common thing, being not supplied with that variety which might still continue the delights of Novelty.
§. 4. But alas, poor Ministers find by sad experience, that all prove not Saints that flock to hear them, and make up the crowd, nor that for a season rejoyce in their light, and magnifie them, and take their parts: The blossom hath its beauty and sweetness; but all that blossometh or appeareth in the bud, doth not come to perfect fruit: Some will be blasted; and some blown down; some nipt with ••osts; some eaten by Worms; some quickly fall; and some hang on till the strongest blasts do cast them down: some are deceived and poysoned by false Teachers: some by worldly cares, and the deceitfulness of riches, become unfruitful and are turned aside: The lusts of some had deeper rooting then the Word: And the friends of some had greater interest in them than Christ, and therefore they forsake him to satisfie their importunity: some are corrupted by the hopes of preferment, or the favour of man: some feared from Christ by their threats and frowns, and choose to venture on damnation, to scape persecution: And some are so worldly wise, that they can see reason to remit their zeal, and can save their souls and bodies too, and prove that to be their duty, which other men call sin (if the end will but answer their expectations): And some grow weary of truth and duty as a dull and common thing, being not supplyed with that variety which might still continue the delights of Novelty.