PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
A Christian Directory, Part 1: Christian Ethics
Baxter, Richard, 1615-1691 · 543,786 words · 710 reading sections
Part 421
Fortun. Galindas speaking of pope Paul the fifth, his love to the Jesuits for helping him to money, saith, Adeo præstat acquirendarum pecuniarum quam animarum studiosum et peritum esse, apud illos, qui cum animarum Christi sanguine redemptarum, in se curam receperint, vel quid anima sit nesciunt, vel non pluris animam …
670 wordsSECTION 422FURTHER SUBORDINATE DIRECTIONS, FOR THE NEXT GREAT DUTIES OF RELIGION; NECESSARY TO THE RIGHT PERFORMANCE OF THE FORMER.[280]
_Directions for redeeming or well improving Time._ Time being man's opportunity for all those works for which he liveth, and which his Creator doth expect from him, and on which his endless life dependeth, the redeeming or well improving of it must needs be of most high importance to him; and therefore it is well made…
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To redeem time supposeth, 1. That we know what we have to do with time, and on what we ought to lay it out; and of how great worth the things are for which we must redeem it. 2. That we highly value time in order to this necessary work. 3. That we are sensible of the greatness of our sin and loss, in our negligent or w…
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The price that time must be redeemed with, is, 1. Above all, by our utmost diligence: that we be still doing, and put forth all our strength, and run as for our lives; and whatever our hand shall find to do, that we do it with our might, remembering that there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the gr…
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_Direct._ I. Still keep upon thy heart, by faith and consideration, the lively sense of the greatness and absolute necessity of that work, which must command thy time; remembering who setteth thee on work, and on what a work he sets thee, and on what terms, and what will be the end. It is God that calleth thee to labou…
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_Direct._ II. Be not a stranger to the condition of thy own soul, but look home till thou art acquainted what state it is in, and what it is in danger of, and what it wanteth, and how far thou art behindhand in thy provisions for immortality: and then be an idle time-waster if thou canst. Could I but go down with thee …
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_Direct._ III. Remember how gainful the redeeming of time is, and how exceeding comfortable in the review! In merchandise, or any trading, in husbandry, or any gaining course, we use to say of a man that hath grown rich by it, that he hath made use of his time. But when heaven, and communion with God in the way, and a …
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_Direct._ IV. Consider on the contrary how sad the review of ill-spent time is, and how you will wish you had spent it when it is gone. Hast thou now any comfort in looking back on thy despised hours? I will not so far wrong thy understanding, as to question whether thou know that thou must die. But thy sin alloweth me…
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_Direct._ V. Go hear and mark how other men at death do set by time, and how they wish then that they had spent it. It is hardly possible for men in health, especially in prosperity and security, to imagine how precious time appeareth to an awakened, dying man! Ask them then whether life be too long, and men have any t…
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_Direct._ VIII. Remember the swift and constant motion of your neglected time. What haste it makes! and never stays! That which was here while you spake the last word, is gone before you can speak the next! Whatever you are doing, or saying, or thinking of, it is passing on without delay! It stayeth not while you sleep…
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_Direct._ X. Think also how exceeding little time thou hast, and how near thou alway standest to eternity.[281] Job vii. 1, "Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? Are not his days also like the days of an hireling?" Job xiv. 1, 2, "Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble: he cometh fo…
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_Direct._ XI. Remember also how uncertain that little time is, which you must have. As you know it will be short, so you know not how short. You never yet saw the day or hour, in which you were sure to see another. And is it a thing becoming the reason of a man, to slug or cast away that day or hour, which for aught he…
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_Direct._ XIII. Consider soberly of the ends for which thy life and time are given thee by God. God made not such a creature as man for nothing; he never gave thee an hour's time for nothing. The life and time of brutes and plants are given them to be serviceable to thee; but what is thine for? Dost thou think in thy c…
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_Direct._ XV. Remember still that sin and Satan will lose no time; and therefore it concerneth you to lose none. "The devil your adversary goeth about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour," 1 Pet. v. 8. "Be sober" therefore and "vigilant to resist him," ver. 7, 9. If he be busy, and you be idle, if he be at …
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_Direct._ XVIII. Think seriously how Christ, and his apostles, and holiest servants in all ages spent their time. They spent it in praying, and preaching, and holy conference, and in doing good, and in the works of their outward callings in subserviency to these: but not in cards, or dice, or dancing, or stage-plays, o…
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_Direct._ I. Remember that it is the great difference between the happy saint and the unhappy world, that one is wise in time, and the other is wise too late. The godly know while knowledge will do good: the wicked know when knowledge will but torment them. All those that you see now so exceedingly contrary in their ju…
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_Direct._ IV. Consider that your work out of season is not so good or acceptable, if you could do it.[285] "Every thing is beautiful in its season," Eccles. iii. 11. To speak a "word in season to the weary," is the skill of the faithful messengers of peace, Isa. 1. 4. When out of season good may be turned into evil. Wh…
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_Tit._ 3. _Directions practical for redeeming Time._ _Direct._ I. The first point in the art of redeeming time, is, to despatch first with greatest care and diligence the greatest works of absolute necessity, which must be done, or else we are undone for ever. First see that the great work of a sound conversion or san…
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_Direct._ IV. Live continually as under the government of God; and keep conscience tender, and in the performance of its office; and always be ready to render an account to God and conscience of what you do. If you live as under the government of God, you will be still doing his work; you will be remembering his judgme…
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_Direct._ VII. Endure patiently some smaller inconvenience and loss, for the avoiding of greater, and for the redeeming of time for greater duties: and let little things be resolutely cast out of your way, when they would draw out your time by insensible degrees. The devil would cunningly steal that from you by drops, …
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_Direct._ VIII. Labour to go always furnished and well provided for the performance of every duty which may occur. As he that will not lose his time in preaching, must be well provided; so he that will not lose his time in solitariness, must be always furnished with matter for profitable meditation; and he that would r…
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_Direct._ XI. Lastly, be acquainted with the great thieves that rob men of their time, and with the devil's methods in enticing them to lose it, and live in continual watchfulness against them. It is a more necessary thriftiness to be sparing and saving of your time, than of your money. It more concerneth you to keep a…
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_Thief_ I. One of the greatest time-wasting sins is idleness, or sloth. The slothful see their time pass away, and their work undone, and can hear of the necessity of redeeming it, and yet they have not hearts to stir. When they are convinced that duty must be done, they are still delaying, and putting it off from day …
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_Thief_ II. The second thief or time-waster is excess of sleep. Necessity cureth most of the poor of this; but many of the rich are guilty of it. If you ask me, What is excess? I answer, All that is more than is needful to our health and business. So much as is necessary to these, I reprehend not. And therefore the inf…
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_Thief_ III. The next thief or time-waster is inordinate adorning of the body. The poor may thank God that they are free also from the temptations to this, and can quickly dress them and go about their business; but many ladies and gallants are so guilty of this vice, that I wonder conscience is so patient with them.[2…
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_Thief_ IV. Another time-wasting thief is unnecessary pomp and curiosity in retinue, attendance, house furniture, provision and entertainments, together with excess of compliment and ceremony, and servitude to the humours and expectations of time-wasters.[294] I crowd them all together, because they are all but wheels …
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_Thief_ V. Another time-wasting sin is needless and tedious feastings, gluttony, and tippling: which being of the same litter, I set together.[297] I speak not against moderate, seasonable, and charitable feasts: but alas, in this luxurious, sensual age, how commonly do men sit two hours at a feast, and spend two more …
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_Thief_ VIII. Another notorious time-wasting thief, is needless, inordinate sports and games, which are commonly stigmatized by the offenders themselves, with the infamous name of pastimes, and masked with the deceitful title of recreations; such as are cards and dice, and stage-plays, and dancings, and revellings, and…
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_Thief_ XI. Another dangerous time-wasting sin is the reading of vain books, play-books, romances, and feigned histories; and also unprofitable studies, undertaken but for vain-glory, or the pleasing of a carnal or curious mind. Of this I have spoken in my book of "Self-denial." I speak not here how pernicious this vic…
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_Sort_ II. Necessity maketh it incumbent on the weak, and sick, and aged, in a special manner to redeem their time. If they will not make much of it that are sure to have but a little; and if they will trifle and loiter it away, that know they are near their journey's end, and ready to give up their accounts, they are …
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_Sort_ VIII. Lastly, it is especially incumbent on them to redeem the time, who, being recovered from sickness, or saved from any danger, are under the obligation both of special mercy and special promises of their own; who have promised God in the time of sickness or distress, that if he would but spare them and try t…
251 wordsSECTION 452FOOTNOTES:
[280] See the directions how to spend every day, part ii. chap. 17. [281] Ex ipsâ vitâ discedimus, tanquam ex hospitio, non tanquam ex domo: commorandi enim nobis natura diversorium non habitandi domum dedit. Cic. in Cat. Maj. [282] See my book called "Now or Never" [283] Mors iis terribilis est, quorum cum vita omn…
296 wordsSECTION 453DIRECTIONS FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE THOUGHTS.
I have showed you, in my "Treatise of Walking with God," how much man's thoughts are regarded by God, and should be regarded by himself; and what agents and instruments they are of very much good or evil: this therefore I shall suppose and not repeat; but only direct you in the governing of them. The work having three …
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_Direct._ III. Above all be sure that you cleanse the fountain, and destroy those sinful inclinations of the heart, from which your evil thoughts proceed. In vain else will you strive to stop the streams: or if you should stop them, that very heart itself will be loathsome in the eyes of God. Are your thoughts all upon…
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_Direct._ VII. Keep out, or quickly cast out, all inordinate passions: for passions do violently press the thoughts, and forcibly carry them away. If anger, or grief, or fear, or any carnal love, or joy, or pleasure be admitted, they will command your thoughts to run out upon their several objects. And when you rebuke …
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_Direct._ XII. Cast out vain and sinful thoughts in the beginning, before they settle themselves and make a dwelling of thy heart. They are easiliest and safeliest resisted in the entrance. Thy heart will give them rooting and grow familiar with them, if they make any stay. Besides, it shows the greater sin, because th…
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_Direct._ XV. When you find that some thoughts of sin and vanity are following you still, for all that you can do, you must not therefore plunge your souls into so much solicitousness, fear, and trouble, as may discourage and distract your mind; but wait on God in the complacential and obediential way of cure. It is th…
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_Direct._ I. Understand well your own interest and great concernments, and be well resolved what you live for, and what is your true felicity and end; and then this will command your thoughts to serve it. The end is it that the means are all chosen for, and used for. A man's estimation directeth his intention and desig…
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_Direct._ II. Know God aright, and behold him by the eye of an effectual faith, and you shall never want matter for holy thoughts. His greatness and continual presence with you may command your thoughts, and awe them, and keep them from masterless vagaries. His wisdom will find them continual employment, upon the vario…
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If this were not enough, I might tell you what faith can see also in hell, which is not unworthy of your serious thoughts.[303] What work is there? what direful complaints and lamentations? what self-tormentings, and what sense of God's displeasure, and for what? But I will wholly pass this by, that you may see there i…
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_Direct._ V. Soundly understand the wonderful mystery of man's redemption, and know Jesus Christ, and you need not want employment for your thoughts. For "in him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge," Col. ii. 3. "He is the power of God, and the wisdom of God," 1 Cor. i. 24. If the study of Aristotle, Plat…
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_Direct._ VII. Know thyself well as thou art the work of God, and in thyself thou wilt find abundant matter for thy meditations. There thou hast the natural image of God to meditate on and admire; even the noble faculties of thy understanding and free will, and executive power. And thou hast his moral or spiritual imag…
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_Direct._ VIII. Be not a stranger to the many sins, and wants, and weaknesses of thy soul, and thou never needest to be empty of matter for thy meditations. And though these thoughts be not the sweetest, yet thy own folly hath made them necessary. If thou be dangerously sick, or but painfully sore, thou canst scarce fo…
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_Direct._ IX. Be not a stranger to the methods, and subtleties, and diligence of Satan, in his temptations to undo thy soul, and thou wilt find matter enough to keep thy thoughts from idleness. He is thinking how to deceive thee and destroy thee; and doth it not concern thee to think how to defeat him and escape and sa…
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_Direct._ XI. Be not a stranger to, or neglectful disregarder of, the wonders of providence in God's administrations in the world, and thou wilt find store of matter for thy thoughts. The dreadfulness of judgments, the delightfulness of mercies, the mysteriousness of all, will be matter of daily search and admiration t…
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_Direct._ XIV. Be not ignorant or neglective of that frame and course of holy duty to God and man, in which all your lives should be employed; and you cannot want matter to employ your thoughts upon. Your pulse, and breath, and natural motions, will hold on whether you think of them or not; but so will not moral, holy …
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_Direct._ XVII. If all this will not serve the turn, it is strange if God call not home your thoughts, by sharp afflictions: and methinks the improvement of them, and the removal of them, should find some employment for your thoughts. It is time then to "search and try your ways, and turn again unto the Lord," Lam. iii…
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_Direct._ XX. If all these do not sufficiently furnish your meditations, look through the world, and see what a multitude of miserable souls do call for your compassion and daily prayers for their relief. Think on the many nations that lie in the darkness of idolatry and infidelity! It is not past the sixth part of the…
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_Direct._ III. Take heed of sloth and negligence of the will, whereby the directions of reason will be unexecuted, for want of resolution and command; and so every temptation will carry away the thoughts. A lazy coachman will let the horses go which way they list, because he will not strive with them; and will break hi…
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_Direct._ X. Above all, take heed of sinful interests and designs; for these are the garrison of Satan, and must be battered down before any holy cogitations can take place. He that is set upon a design of rising, or of growing rich, hath something else to do than to entertain those sober thoughts of things eternal, wh…
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_Direct._ II. To this end you must know in their several degrees, what subjects are in themselves most excellent to be meditated on. As the first and highest is the most blessed God himself, and the glorious person of our Redeemer, and the New Jerusalem or heaven of glory, where he is revealed to his saints. And then, …
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_Direct._ VI. Next labour to perceive the weight of every thing you think on, be it good or evil: and to that end be sure, that God and eternity be taken in, in every meditation, and all things judged of as they stand related to God, and to your eternal state; which only can give you the true estimate and sense of good…
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_Direct._ IX. Let the end and order of your meditations be first for the settling of your judgments, and next for the resolving and settling of your wills, and thirdly, for the reforming and bettering of your lives; and, but in the fourth place, after all these, for the raising of your holy passions or lively feeling; …
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_Direct._ XIV. Yet do not overdo in point of violence or length; but carry on the work sincerely according to the abilities of your minds and bodies; lest going beyond your strength, you craze your brains, and discompose your minds, and disable yourselves to do any thing at all. Though we cannot estimatively love God t…
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_Answ._ Every active christian is bound to somewhat of contemplation; and all contemplative persons are bound to obedience to God, and to so much of action as may answer their abilities and opportunities. But yet some are much more called to the one, and some to the other; and we denominate from that which is most emin…
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_Answ._ It is lawful, and a duty, and a great mercy to some, to live almost wholly, yea altogether, in contemplation and prayer, and such holy exercises. And that in these cases following: 1. In case that age hath disabled a man to be serviceable to others by an active life: and when a man hath already spent his days a…
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3. The work of a magistrate, a lawyer, a physician, and such like, is principally in doing good in their several callings, which must not be neglected for contemplation. Yet so, that all these, and all others, must allow God's service and holy thoughts their due place, in the beginning, and middle, and end of all their…
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12. Servants, and poor men, and diseased men, and others, that are called off from much contemplation, and employed in a life of obedient action, yea, or suffering, by the providence of God, and not by their own sinful choice, must understand, that their labour and patience is the way of their acceptable attendance upo…
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1. They are commonly exceeding fearful, causelessly or beyond what there is cause for: every thing which they hear or see is ready to increase their fears, especially if fear was the first cause, as ordinarily it is. 2. Their fantasy most erreth in aggravating their sin, or dangers, or unhappiness: every ordinary infir…
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This is the miserable case of these poor people, greatly to be pitied, and not to be despised by any. I have spoken nothing but what I have often seen and known. And let none despise such, for men of all sorts do fall into this misery; learned and unlearned, high and low, good and bad, yea, some that have lived in grea…
814 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.