A26888:486
The certainty of the worlds of spirits and, consequently, of the immortality of souls…
The certainty of the worlds of spirits and, consequently, of the immortality of souls of the malice and misery of the devils and the damned : and of the blessedness of the justified, fully evinced by the unquestionable histories of apparitions, operations, witchcrafts, voices &c. / written, as an addition to many other treatises for the conviction of Sadducees and infidels, by Richard Baxter.The certainty of the worlds of spirits and, consequently, of the immortality of souls of the malice and misery of the devils and the damned : and of the blessedness of the justified, fully evinced by the unquestionable histories of apparitions, operations, witchcrafts, voices &c. / written, as an addition to many other treatises for the conviction of Sadduces and infidels, by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for T. Parkhurst, 1691
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.
III. And more evident is it that it is no better Spirit that inspireth all the Slanderers, Silencers and Persecutors of the faithful Ministers of Christ; and those that make and execute the Laws for the imprisoning and ruining of the most cons•ionable Christians, for their avoiding notorious Sin, or, at least, for doubtful Infirmities, incomparably less than these Persecutors (Clergy or Laity) are guilty of. By their Fruits you may know what Spirit ac•• •eth these Men. Wolves, Thorns and Thistles are known by Hurtfulness Christ's Miracles were, Doing Good, and Healing: But Devil's Work is Hurting, and Destroying.
III. And more evident is it that it is no better Spirit that inspireth all the Slanderers, Silencers and Persecuters of the faithful Ministers of Christ; and those that make and execute the Laws for the imprisoning and ruining of the most cons•ionable Christians, for their avoiding notorious Sin, or, at least, for doubtful Infirmities, incomparably less than these Persecuters (Clergy or Laity) are guilty of. By their Fruits you may know what Spirit ac•• •eth these Men. Wolves, Thorns and Thistles are known by Hartfulness Christ's Miracles were, Doing Good, and Healing: But Devil's Work is Hurting, and Destroying.
And let those Men and Women think of it, that cannot forgive, but are set upon Revenge. Mark whether Revenge be not the most ordinary Business of Witches, and of Devilized Souls; most of these Histories tell it you: Therefore Christ telleth us, that if we forgive not, we shall not be forgiven; so contrary is he to the Diabolical ⟨p. 239⟩Spirit of Revenge, though yet he hath just and punishing Governors.