A26892:1075
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.
§. 60. Direct. 18. As there are degrees of sin, so there are degrees of punishment: And wilt thou1 rather choose the easiest place in Hell, than Heaven? How small soever the matter of sin be, thy wilfulness and sinning against conscience, and mercies, and warnings may make it great to thee? Are great sinners so happy in thy eyes, that thou wouldst be as like them as thou darest.
- 1Direct. 18.
§. 61. Tempt. 19. Also he would embolden the sinner, because of the Commonness of the sin, and 1the multitude that commit either that or worse, as if it were not therefore so bad or dangerous.
- 1Tempt. 19.
§. 62. Direct. 19. But remember, that the more examples you have to take warning by, the more1 unexcusable is your fall. It was not the number of Angels that fell, that could keep them from being Devils and damned for their sin: God will do Justice on many, as well as on one. The sin is the greater, and therefore the punishment shall not be the less. Make the case your own: Will you think it a good reason for any one to abuse you, beat you, rob you, because that many have done so before? He should rather think, that you are abused too much already, and therefore he should not add to your wrongs: If when many had spit in Christs face or buffeted him, some one should have given him another spit or blow, as if he had not enough before, would you not have taken him to be the worst and cruellest of them all: If you do as the most, you'll speed as the most.