A26892:5501
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.
§. 2. Direct. 1. Take heed lest there be any carnal interest or lust which maketh you unwilling to 1receive the truth, or inclineth you to error that it may serve that interest or lust. It is no small number of men that are strangers or enemies to the truth, not because they cannot attain the knowledge of it, but because they would not have it to be truth. And men of great learning and natural parts are frequently thus deceived and led into error by a naughty carnal biassed heart: Either because that error is the vulgar opinion, and necessary to maintain their popular reputation, and avoid reproach; or because it is the way of men in power, and necessary to their preferment and greatness in the world; or because the Truth is contrary to their fleshly lusts and pleasures, or contrary to their honour and worldly interest; and would hazard their reputations or their lives. How loth2 is a sensual ungodly man to believe, that without Holiness none shall see God, and that he that is in Christ is a new creature, and that if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, the same is none of his, and that if they live after the flesh they shall dye? How loth is the ambitious Minister to believe that the way of Christs service lieth not in worldly pomp, or ease, or pleasures, but in taking up the Cross, and following Christ in self-denial, and in being as the servant of all, in the unwearied performance of careful oversight, and compassionate exhortations unto all the flock. Let a controversy be raised about any of these points, and the mind of lazy ambitious men doth presently fall in with that part which gratifieth their fleshly lusts, and excuseth them from that toilsome way of duty, which they already hate. The secret lusts and vices of a false hypocritical heart, are the commonest and the powerfullest arguments for error: And such men are glad, that Great men, or Learned men will give so much ease to their consciences, and shelter to their reputations, as to countenance, or make a Controversy at least of that which their lusts desire to be true. Above all, therefore see that you come not to enquire after Truth with an unsanctified heart, and unmortified lusts; which are a bias to your minds, and make you warp from the truth which you enquire after:
§. 2. Direct. 1. Take heed lest there be any carnal interest or lust which maketh you unwilling to 1