A26892:557
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.
§. 9. 4. Another way to confound you in your Religion is, by setting you upon overdoing by inventions1 of your own; when a poor soul is most desirous to please God, the Devil will be Religious, and set him upon some such ta•k of Voluntary humility or Will-worship, as the Apostle speaks of, Col. 2. 18, 20, 21, 22, 23. or s•t him upon some ensnaring unnecessary Vows or Resolutions, or some Popish works of conceited supererogation, which is that which Solomon calleth, being right us overmuch, Eccles. 7. 16. Thus many have made duties to themselves, which God never made for them; and taken that for sin, which God never forbade them: The Popish Religion is very much made up, of such Commandments of their own, and Traditions of men. As if Christ had not made us work enough, men are forward to make much more for themselves. And some that should teach them the Laws of Christ, do think that their Office is in vain, unless they may also prescribe them Laws of their own, and give them new Precepts of Religion. Yea, some that are the bitterest enemies to the strict observance of the Laws of God, as if it were a tedious needless thing, must yet needs load us with abundance of unnecessary Precepts of their own. And thus Religion is mad both wear some and uncertain, and a door set open for men to enlarge it, and increase the burden at their pleasure. Indeed Popery is fitted to delude and quiet sleepy consciences, and to torment with uncertainties the consciences that are awaked.
§. 9. 4. Another way to confound you in your Religion is, by setting you upon overdoing by inventions1 of your own; when a poor soul is most desirous to please God, the Devil will be Religious, and set him upon some such ta•k of Voluntary humility or Will-worship, as the Apostle speaks of, Col. 2. 18, 20, 21, 22, 23. or s•t him upon some ensnaring unnecessary Vows or Resolutions, or some Popsh works of conited suprerogation, which is that which Solomon calleth, being righte us overmuch,