A26892:748
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.
§. 24. Direct. 11. Labour for the clearest understanding of the Will of God, that doubtfulness about 1your duty do not make you flag in your obedience, and doubtfulness about sin, do not weaken your detestation and resistance, and draw you to venture on it. When a man is sure what is his Duty, it is a great help against all temptations that would take him off: And when he is sure that a thing is sinful, it makes it the easier to resist. And therefore it is the Devils Method to delude the understanding, and make men believe that duty is no duty, and sin is no sin: and then no wonder if duty be neglected, and sin committed: And therefore he raiseth up one false Prophet or other to say to Ahab, Go and prosper; or to say, There is no hurt in this. To dispute for sin, and to dispute against Duty: And it is almost incredible how much the Devil hath got, when he hath once but made it a matter of Controversy. Then every hypocrite hath a cloak for his sin, and a dose of Opium for his Conscience: when he can but say, [It is a Controversy; some are of one mind, and some of another: you are of that Opinion, and I am of this:] Especially if there be wise and learned on both sides: and yet more, if there be Religious men on both sides: And more yet, if he have an equal number on his side: And most of all if he have the major Vote (as error and sin have commonly in the world): If Ahab have but four hundred lying flattering Prophets to one Micaiah, he will think he may hate him, reproach him and persecute him without any s••••ple of Conscience. If it be made a Controversy whether Bread be Bread, and Wine be Wine, when we see and taste it, some will think they may venture to subscribe or swear that they hold the Negative, if their credit, or livings, or lives lie upon it; much more if they can say, It is the judgement of the Church? If it be once made a Controversy, whether perjury be a sin, or whether a Vow materially lawful bind, or whether it be lawful to equivocate, or lye with a mental reservation for the truth, or to do the greatest evil, or speak the falsest thing with a true and good intent and meaning, almost all the hypocrites in the Country will be for the sinful part, if their fleshly interest require it: And will think themselves wronged, if they are accounted hypocrites, liars, or perjured, as long as it is but a Point of Controversy among learned men.
§. 24. Direct. 11. Labour for the clearest understanding of the Will of God, that doubtfulness about