A26892:8585
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.
Part 4 › Chapter 14: Directions against soul-murder, and partaking of other mens sins.
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.
§. 15. 15. Another way of soul murder, is by laying baits of deceit and sin, before the sinner: As men destroy Rats and Mice by baits and sweetened poison, or catch Fishes or Birds, by covering their death with something which they most love: So doth the Devil and his instruments destroy souls, the baits of a pleasant cup, or pleasant company, or pleasant meats, or pleasant sports, or Plays, or Games: A Feast, a Tavern, an Ale-house, a Whore, a Stage-play, a Romance, a pair of Cards or Dice, can do the deed. If he can possibly he will prove it a thing lawful; If he cannot he will prove it a venial sin: If that cannot be, he will drown consideration, and stop the mouth of Reason, and Conscience, and cry, Drive on. Some have yet higher baits than these; Lordships and Lands, Dominion and Honour, to choke their souls.
§. 15. 15. Another way of soul murder, is by laying baits of deceit and sin, before the sinner: As men destroy Rats and Mice by baits and sweetned poyson, or catch Fishes or Birds, by covering their death with something which they most love: So doth the Devil and his instruments destroy souls, the baits of a pleasant cup, or pleasant company, or pleasant meats, or pleasant sports, or Playes, or Games: A Feast, a Tavern, an Ale-house, a Whore, a Stage-play, a Romance, a pair of Cards or Dice, can do the deed. If he can possibly he will prove it a thing lawful; If he cannot he will prove it a venial sin: If that cannot be, he will drown consideration, and stop the mouth of Reason, and Conscience, and cry, Drive on. Some have yet higher baits than these; Lordships and Lands, Dominion and Honour, to choak their souls.
§. 16. 16. Also an honest name for sin, and a dishonest name for duty to God, doth serve the turn for many mens perdition. To call drunkenness [good fellowship, or to take a Cup,] and Gluttony [good house keeping,] and voluptuousness [recreation or pastime;] and pride [the maintaining of their honour;] and worldliness [good husbandry;] and prodigality [liberality;] and lust and whoredom, [Love, and having a Mistress,] and oppression [the seeking of their due;] and perfidious dissimulation [Courtship;] and jeering [Wittiness;] These and more such are traps for souls. And of the same use is the calling of duties by names of vice, which tend to make them odious or contemptible.