A26892:8272
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.
§. 1. Direct. 1. The commonest cause is prevailing Melancholy which is near to madness: therefore 1to prevent this sad disease, or to cure it if contracted, and to watch them in the mean time, is the chief prevention of this sin. Though there be much more hope of the salvation of such, as want the use of their Understandings, because so far it may be called involuntary, yet it is a very dreadful case, especially so far as reason remaineth in any power. But it is not more natural for a man in a Fever to thirst and rave, than for Melancholy at the height to incline men to make away themselves. For the disease will let them feel nothing but misery and despair, and say nothing, but, I am forsaken miserable and undone! and not only maketh them aweary of their lives (even while they are afraid to dye), but the Devil hath some great advantage by it, to urge them to do it: so that if they pass over a Bridge, he urgeth them to leap into the Water: If they see a Knife, they are presently urged to kill themselves with it; and feel as if it were something within them importunately provoking them, and saying, Do it, Do it now; and giving them no rest: In so much that many of them contrive it, and cast about secretly how they may accomplish it.
§. 1. Direct. 1. The commonest cause is prevailing Melancholy which is neer to madness: therefore 1to prevent this sad disease, or to cure it if contracted, and to watch them in the mean time, is the chief prevention of this sin. Though there be much more hope of the salvation of such, as want the use of their Understandings, because so far it may be called involuntary, yet it is a very dreadful case, especially so far as reason remaineth in any power. But it is not more natural for a man in a Feaver to thirst and rave, than for Melancholy at the height to incline men to make away themselves. For the disease will let them feel nothing but misery and despair, and say nothing, but, I am forsaken miserable and undone! and not only maketh them aweary of their lives (even while they are afraid to dye), but the Devil hath some great advantage by it, to urge them to do it: so that if they pass over a Bridge, he urgeth them to leap into the Water: If they see a Knife, they are presently urged to kill themselves with it; and feel as if it were something within them importunately provoking them, and saying, Do it, Do it now; and giving them no rest: In so much that many of them contrive it, and cast about secretly how they may accomplish it.