'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — October 16

Alas! It is our wisdom to be careful lest we are deceived in so great a business as our salvation. There is no harm to be careful, since presumption, carelessness, and neglect may betray us to misery and despair. The devil wins many souls by silencing their reason. The noise of worldly business drowns out the voice of reason. Withdraw yourself just one hour to consider seriously the end of your life. While you walk alone, or are awake in the night, remember soberly that God is present, time is hasting to an end, and judgment is at hand when you must give account of all your hours. Do not allow the devil to divert you from these serious considerations by pleasures or worldly business. If the devil can but take you up a while, with one pleasure one day, and another business another day, and keep you from the work that you came into the world for, till your time is gone, you will slip unaware into damnation, and the devil has his desire and that which he aimed at; he has won the day, and you are lost for ever. When you set a limit to your folly, and determine to do it only for a little until this business is over, the devil will provide a fresh one for you until the time is gone. Resolve, therefore, that whatever company, pleasure, or business would divert you, that you will not be fooled out of your salvation. If company plead an interest in you, ask if it is better company than the Spirit of God; if pleasure would detain you, inquire whether it is more pure and durable pleasure than you will have in heaven; if business pretend necessity, inquire whether it is a greater business than to prepare your soul for judgment. If you are wise, let stand all other things, and do what is first in importance.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Devotional Readings 'Voices From The Past Vol.1.'
Richard Baxter, A Christian Directory, I:9-16
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