A26892:404
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.
§. 67. Direct. 3. But know you not that Reigning sin is much more common than saving holiness? 1and that the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leadeth to destruction, and many go in at it? Salvation is as rare as holiness: and damnation as common as Reigning sin, where it is not cured. This sign therefore makes against you.
- 1Direct. 3.
§. 69. Tempt. 4. But, saith the Tempter, they are such sins as you see good men commit: You play 1at the same games as they: you do but what you see them do; and they are pardoned.
- 1Tempt. 4.
§. 68. Direct. 4. You must judge the man by his works, and not the works by the man. And there1 is more to be looked at, than the bare matter of an act. A good man and a bad may play at the same game, but not with the same end, nor with the same love to sport, nor so frequently and long to the loss of time. Many drops may wear a stone: Many stripes with small twigs may draw blood. Many mean men in a Senate have been as great Kings: You may have many of these little sins set all together, which plainly make up a carnal life. The power of a sin, is more considerable than the outward show. A poor man if he be in the place of a Magistrate, may be a Ruler. And a sin materially small, and such as better men commit, may be a sin in Power and Rule with you, and concur with others which are greater.