A Christian Directory

Name: A Christian Directory
Author: Richard Baxter

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.

Richard Baxter 1615–1691London: printed by Robert White for Nevill Simmons, 1673

[35], 929, [5], 214 p., [1] leaf of plates : port. · 1.2M words · Wing B1219 · ESTC R21847

Title page typeset from the transcription.

Part 1 › Chapter 2 › Direction 17: Direct. 17. Take heed that you receive not a Doctrine of Libertinism as from the Gospel…Part 1 › Chapter 2 › Direction 17: Direct. 17. TAke heed that you receive not a Doctrine of Libertinism as from the Gospel…

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.

[ Earlier:583–598 of 9,947

:583p. 61

§. 1. Because the Devil knoweth that you will not receive his doctrine in his own Name, his usual¹ method is to propound and preach it in the name of Christ, which he knoweth you reverence and regard. For if Satan concealed not his own Name and Hand in every temptation, it would spoil his game: And the more excellent and splendid is his pretence, the more powerful the temptation is. They that gave heed to seducing Spirits and Doctrines of Devils, no doubt thought better of the Spirits and the Doctrines, especially seeming strict (for the Devil hath his strictnesses) as forbidding to marry, and abstinence from meats which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving, 1 Tim. 4. 1, 3. But the strictnesses of the Devil, are always intended to make men loose. They shall be strict as the Pharisees in Traditions and vain Ceremonies, and building the Tombs of the Prophets, and garnishing the Sepulchres of the Righteous, that they may hate and murder the living Saints that worship God in Spirit and in truth. Licentiousness is the proper Doctrine of the Devil, which all his strictness tendeth to promote. To receive such principles is pernicious: but to father them upon Christ and the Gospel, is blasphemous.

§. 1. Because the Devil knoweth that you will not receive his doctrine in his own Name, his usual¹ method is to propound and preach it in the name of Christ, which he knoweth you reverence and regard. For if Satan concealed not his own Name and Hand in every temptation, it would spoil his game: And the more excellent and splendid is his pretence, the more powerful the temptation is. They that gave heed to seducing Spirits and Doctrines of Devils, no doubt thought better of the Spirits and the Doctrines, especially seeming strict (for the Devil hath his strictnesses) as forbidding to marry, and abstinence from meats which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving, 1 Tim. 4. 1, 3. But the strictnesses of the Devil, are alwayes intended to make men loose. They shall be strict as the Pharisees in Traditions and vain Ceremonies, and building the Tombs of the Prophets, and garnishing the Sepulchres of the Righteous, that they may hate and murder the living Saints that worship God in Spirit and in truth. Licentiousness is the proper Doctrine of the Devil, which all his strictness tendeth to promote. To receive such principles is pernicious: but to father them upon Christ and the Gospel, is blasphemous.

[ Earlier passages Later passages ]

A Christian Directory

Direct. 18. Watch diligently hath against the more discernible decays of grace, and against¹ the degenerating of it into some carnal affections: or something counterfeit, and of another kind: And so also of Religious duties.

Direct. 18. WAtch diligently hath against the more discernable decayes of grace, and against¹ the degenerating of it into some carnal affections: or something counterfeit, and of another kind: And so also of Religious duties.

Direct. 19. Promise not your selves long life, or prosperity and great matters in the world, lest it entangle¹ your hearts with transitory things, and engage you in ambitious or covetous designs, and steal away your hearts from God, and destroy all your serious apprehensions of Eternity.

Direct. 19. PRomise not your selves long life, or prosperity and great matters in the world, lest it entangle¹ your hearts with transitory things, and engage you in ambitious or covetous designs, and steal away your hearts from God, and destroy all your serious apprehensions of Eternity.

Transcription key

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

Direct. 18. Watch diligently hath against the more discernible decays of grace, and against1 the degenerating of it into some carnal affections: or something counterfeit, and of another kind: And so also of Religious duties.

Direct. 18. WAtch diligently hath against the more discernable decayes of grace, and against1 the degenerating of it into some carnal affections: or something counterfeit, and of another kind: And so also of Religious duties.

Direct. 19. Promise not your selves long life, or prosperity and great matters in the world, lest it entangle1 your hearts with transitory things, and engage you in ambitious or covetous designs, and steal away your hearts from God, and destroy all your serious apprehensions of Eternity.

Direct. 19. PRomise not your selves long life, or prosperity and great matters in the world, lest it entangle1 your hearts with transitory things, and engage you in ambitious or covetous designs, and steal away your hearts from God, and destroy all your serious apprehensions of Eternity.

Transcription key

Direct. 18. Watch diligently hath against the more discernible decays of grace, and against¹ the degenerating of it into some carnal affections: or something counterfeit, and of another kind: And so also of Religious duties.

Direct. 18. WAtch diligently hath against the more discernable decayes of grace, and against¹ the degenerating of it into some carnal affections: or something counterfeit, and of another kind: And so also of Religious duties.

Direct. 19. Promise not your selves long life, or prosperity and great matters in the world, lest it entangle¹ your hearts with transitory things, and engage you in ambitious or covetous designs, and steal away your hearts from God, and destroy all your serious apprehensions of Eternity.

Direct. 19. PRomise not your selves long life, or prosperity and great matters in the world, lest it entangle¹ your hearts with transitory things, and engage you in ambitious or covetous designs, and steal away your hearts from God, and destroy all your serious apprehensions of Eternity.