A26951:1879
The life of faith in three parts, the first is a sermon on Heb.…
The life of faith in three parts, the first is a sermon on Heb. 11, 1, formerly preached before His Majesty, and published by his command, with another added for the fuller application : the second is instructions for confirming believers in the Christian faith : the third is directions how to live by faith, or how to exercise it upon all occasions / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by R.W. for Nevil Simmons, 1670
Part 3 › Chapter 12: How to use Faith against particular 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.
Direct. 9. Let Faith still keep you busied in your Masters work. Nothing breedeth and feedeth sin so much as idleness of mind and life: Sins of omission have this double mischief, that they are the first part of Satan's game themselves, and they also bring in sins of commission. When men are not taken up with good, they are at leisure for temptations to entice them; and they set open their doors to the tempter, and tell him he may speak with then when he will. Wanton thoughts, and covetous thoughts, may dwell there when better thoughts are absent. But when you are so wholly taken up with your duty (spiritual or corporal) and so constantly and industriously busy in your proper work, sin cannot enter, nor Satan find you at leisure for his service.
Direct. 9. Let Faith still keep you busied in your Masters work. Nothing breedeth and feedeth sin so much as idleness of mind and life: Sins of omission have this double mischief, that they are the first part of Satans game themselves, and they also bring in sins of commission. When men are not taken up with good, they are at leisure for temptations to intice them; and they set open their doors to the tempter, and tell him he may speak with then when he will. Wanton thoughts, and covetous thoughts, may dwell there when better thoughts are absent. But when you are so wholly taken up with your duty (spiritual or corporal) and so constantly and industriously busie in your proper work, sin cannot enter, nor Satan find you at leisure for his service.
Direct. 10. Let Faith make Gods service pleasant to you, and lose not your delight in G•d and godliness, and then you will not relish sinful pleasures. You will find no need of such base delights, when you live on the foretaste of Angelical pleasures. You will not be easily drawn to steal a morsel of dung or poison from the Devils table, while you daily feast your souls on Christ: or to steal the Onions of Egypt, when you dwell in a Land that floweth with milk and honey. But while you keep your selves in the wilderness, you will be tempted to look ⟨p. 420⟩