A26892:564
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.
Direct. 14. BE very diligent in mortifying the desires and pleasures of the flesh; and keep a continual1 watch upon your senses appetite and lusts; and cast not your selves upon temptations, occasions or opportunities of sinning, remembering that your salvation lieth on your success.
Direct. 14. BE very diligent in mortifying the desires and pleasures of the flesh; and keep a continual1 watch upon your senses appetite and lusts; and cast not your selves upon temptations, occasions or opportunities of sinning, remembring that your salvation lyeth on your success.
- 1Direct. 14.
§. 1. The lusts of the fl•sh, and the pleasures of the world, are the common enemy of God and souls, and the damnation of those souls that perish. And there is no sort more liable to temptations of this kind, than those that are in the flower of their youth and strength. When all the senses are in their vigour, and lust and appetite are in their strength and fury, how great is the danger? and how great must your diligence be if you will escape? The appetite and lust of the weak and sick, are weak and sick as well as they▪ and therefore they are no great temptation or danger to them. The desire and pleasure of the senses do abate, as natural strength and vigour doth abate: To such there is much less need of watchfulness: and where nature hath mortified the flesh, there is somewhat the less for grace to do. There needs not much grace to keep the aged and weak from fornication, uncleanness, excessive sports and carnal mirth: and gluttony and drunkenness also are sins which youth is much more liable to. Especially some bodies that are not only young and strong, but have in their temperature and complexion a special inclination to some of these (as lust, or sport, or foolish mirth) there needeth a great deal of diligence, resolution and watchfulness for their preservation. Lust is not like a corrupt opinion, that surpriseth us through a defect of Reason, and vanisheth as soon as truth appeareth: But it is a brutish inclination, which though Reason must subdue and govern, yet the perfectest Reason will not extirpate but there it will still dwell. And as it is constantly with you, it will be stirring when objects are presented by the sense or fantasy to allure. And it is like a torrent, or a head-strong Horse, that must be kept in at first, and is hardly restrained if it once break loose and get the head. If you are bred up in temperance and modesty, where there are no great temptations to gluttony, drinking, sports or wantonness, you may think a while that your natures have little or none of this concupiscence, and so may walk without a guard: But when