A26892:1828
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.
§. 6. 3. As our neighbour is commanded to Love us as himself, we are bound by all lawful means to render our selves amiable to him, that we may help and facilitate this his Love, as it is more necessary to him than to us: For to help him in obeying so great a command must needs be a great duty: And therefore if his very sin possess him with prejudice against us, or cause him to distaste ⟨p. 219⟩us for some indifferent thing, we must as far as we can lawfully remove the cause of his prejudice and dislike (Though he that hateth us for obeying God, must not be cured by our disobeying him): we are so far from being obliged to displease men by surliness and morosity that we are bound to pleasing gentleness, and brotherly kindness, and to all that carriage which is necessary to care their sinful hatred or dislike.
§. 6. 3. As our neighbour is commanded to Love us as himself, we are bound by all lawful means to render our selves amiable to him, that we may help and facilitate this his Love, as it is more necessary to him than to us: For to help him in obeying so great a command must needs be a great duty: And therefore if his very sin possess him with prejudice against us, or cause him to distaste ⟨p. 219⟩us for some indifferent thing, we must as far as we can lawfully remove the cause of his prejudice and dislike (Though he that hateth us for obeying God, must not be cured by our disobeying him): we are so far from being obliged to displease men by surliness and morasity that we are bound to pleasing gentleness, and brotherly kindness, and to all that carriage which is necessary to care their sinful hatred or dislike.
§. 7. 4. We must not be self-conceited, and prefer a weak unfurnished judgement of our own, before the greater wisdom of another; but in honour must prefer each other; and the ignorant must honour the knowledge and parts of others that excel them, and not be stiff in their own opinion, nor wise in their own eyes, nor undervalue another mans reasons or judgement, but be glad to learn of any that can teach them, in the humble acknowledgement of their own insufficiency.