A26892:244
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.
As the Jesuits when they attempt the conversion of the Indians, do still find this their great impediment, the Princes and people suppose them to pretend the Gospel, but as a means to subjugate them and their Dominions to the Pope, because they tell them that they must be all subject to the Pope, if they will be saved. Now when Christ hath appointed a poor self-denying entreating Ministry, against whom you can have none of these pretences, to sloop to your feet, with the most submissive entreaties, that you would but turn to God and live, you have no excuse for your own barbarous ingratitude, if you will fly in their faces, and use them as your enemies, and be offended with them for endeavouring to save you. You know they can hold their Tithes and Livings by smoothing, and cold, and general preaching, as well as by more faithful dealing (if not better): You know they can get no worldly advantage by dealing so plainly with you: You know that they hazard by it, their reputation with such as you; and they cannot be ignorant that it is like to expose them to your ill will and indignation.
As the Jesuites when they attempt the conversion of the Indians, do still find this their great impediment, the Princes and people suppose them to pretend the Gospel, but as a means to subjugate them and their Dominions to the Pope, because they tell them that they must be all subject to the Pope, if they will be saved. Now when Christ hath appointed a poor self-denying intreating Ministry, against whom you can have none of these pretences, to sloop to your feet, with the most submissive intreaties, that you would but turn to God and live, you have no excuse for your own barbarous ingratitude, if you will fly in their faces, and use them as your enemies, and be offended with them for endeavouring to save you. You know they can hold their Tythes and Livings by smoothing, and cold, and general preaching, as well as by more faithful dealing (if not better): You know they can get no worldly advantage by dealing so plainly with you: You know that they hazard by it, their reputation with such as you; and they cannot be ignorant that it is like to expose them to your ill will and indignation.
§. 2. And they are men as well as you, and therefore undoubtedly desire the good will and the good word of others, and take no pleasure to be scorned or hated: Undoubtedly they break through much temptation and reluctancy of the flesh, before they can so far deny themselves as to endeavour your salvation on such terms: And seeing it is all for you, methinks you should be their chief encouragers: If others should oppose them, you should be for them, because they are for you. If I go with a Convoy to relieve a besieged Garrison, I shall expect opposition from the Enemy that besiegeth them: But if the besieged themselves shall shoot at us, and use us as enemies for venturing our lives to relieve them, it's time to be gone, and let them take what they get by it.