A26892:560
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.
§. 11. 5. Another of Satan's ways to make Religion burdensome and grievous to you, is by overwhelming1 you with fear and sorrow. Partly by persuading you that Religion consisteth in excess of sorrow, and so causing you to spend your time in striving to trouble and grieve your selves unprofitably, as if it were the course most acceptable to God: And partly by taking the advantage of a timorous passionate nature; and so making every thought of God, or serious exercise of Religion, to be a torment to you, by raising some overwhelming fears. For fear hath torment, 1 John 4. 18. In some feminine, weak and melancholy persons, this Temptation hath so much advantage in the body, that the holiest soul can do but little in resisting it; so that though there be in such a sincere Love to God, his ways and servants, yet fear so playeth the Tyrant in them, that they perceive almost nothing else. And it is no wonder if Religion be grievous and unpleasant to such as th•se.
§. 11. 5. Another of Satans wayes to make Religion burdensome and grievous to you, is by overwhelming1 you with fear and sorrow. Partly by perswading you that Religion consisteth in excess of sorrow, and so causing you to spend your time in striving to trouble and grieve your selves unprofitably, as if it were the course most acceptable to God: And partly by taking the advantage of a •imorous passionate nature; and so making every thought of God, or serious exercise of Religion, to be a torment to you, by raising some overwhelming fears. For fear hath torment, 1 John 4. 18. In some faeminine, weak and melancholy persons, this Temptation hath so much advantage in the body, that the holiest soul can do but little in resisting it; so that though there be in such a sincere Love to God, his wayes and servants, yet fear so playeth the Tyrant in them, that they perceive almost nothing else. And it is no wonder if Religion be grievous and unpleasant to such as th•se.