A26892:1875
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.
It is evident then, that if you will please all you must at once both speak and be silent, and verify contradictions, and be in many places at once, and be of all mens minds, and for all mens ways. For my part, I mean to see the world a little better agreed among themselves, before I will make it my ambition to please them. If you can reconcile all their opinions, and interests, and complexions, and dispositions, and make them all of One Mind and Will, then hope to please them.
It is evident then, that if you will please all you must at once both speak and be silent, and verifie contradictions, and be in many places at once, and be of all mens minds, and for all mens wayes. For my part, I mean to see the world a little better agreed among themselves, before I will make it my ambition to please them. If you can reconcile all their opinions, and interests, and complexions, and dispositions, and make them all of One Mind and Will, then hope to please them.
§. 51. 16. If you excel in any one Virtue or Duty, even that shall not excuse you from the contrary defamation, so unreasonable are malicious men. Nothing in the world can secure you from censorious slanderous tongues. The perfect holiness of Jesus Christ could not secure him from being called1 a gluttonous person and a wine-bibber, and a friend of publicans and sinners. His wonderful contempt of worldly dignities and honours, and his subjection to Caesar, could not secure him from being slandered and crucified as Caesars enemy. The great piety of the ancient Christians excused them not from the vulgar calumny, that they met together for filthiness in the dark; nor from the cry of the rabble, Tol•ite impios, away with the ungodly, because they were against the worshipping of Idols. I have known those that have given all that ever they had to the poor except their food and necessaries, and yet (though it was to a considerable value) have been reproached as unmerciful by those that had not what they expected. Many a one hath been defamed with scandalous rumours of uncleanness, that have lived in untainted chastity all their lives. The most minent Saints, have been defamed as guilty of the most horrid crimes, which never entered into their thoughts. The principal thing that ever I bent my Studies and care about, hath been the reconciling, Unity, and peace of Christians, and against unpeaceableness, uncharitableness, turbulency and division: And yet some have been found, whose interest and malice hath commanded them to charge me with that very sin, which I have spent my days, my zeal and study against. How oft have contrary factions charged me with perfectly contrary accusations? I can scarce remember the thing that I can do in all the world, that some will not be offended at? Nor the duty so great and