A26892:969
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.
§. 32. IV. By what hath been said you may understand what kind of Officers and Instruments the Tempter useth. 1. He commonly useth men that are themselves first deceived and corrupted, as fit instruments to deceive and corrupt others: These will carry it on with confidence and violence: The employment seemeth Natural to them, they are so fit for it: They will be willing to make other men of their mind, and to have the company of others in their way. A drunkard is fit to make a drunkard: and a filthy fornicator to entice another into the sin: and a gamester to make a gamester: ••d a wanton time-waster to draw another to waste his time in wantonness and foolish sports: An ambitious or proud person is fit to kindle that fire in others: A swearer is fittest to make a swearer; •nd so of many other sins.
§. 32. IV. By what hath been said you may understand what kind of Officers and Instruments the Tempter useth. 1. He commonly useth men that are themselves first deceived and corrupted, as fit instuments to deceive and corrupt others: These will carry it on with confidence and violence: The employment seemeth Natural to them, they are so fit for it: They will be willing to make other men of their mind, and to have the company of others in their way. A drunkard is fit to make a drunkard: and a filthy fornicator to entise another into the sin: and a gamester to make a gamester: ••d a wanton time-waster to draw another to waste his time in wantonness and foolish sports: An ambitious or proud person is fit to kindle that fire in others: A swearer is fittest to make a swearer; •nd so of many other sins.
§. 33. 2. The Devil usually chooseth for his Instruments, men that have no great tenderness of conscience, or fear of sinning or of hurting souls. He would have no such Cowards in his Army, as men fearing God are as to his Ends: It must be men that will venture upon hell themselves, and fear not much the loss of their own souls; and therefore must not be too tender or fearful of destroying others. Butchers and Soldiers must not be chosen out of too tender or loving a sort of people: such are not fit to go through his work.