A26892:5688
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.
But it is the most heinous cruelty, when, as in Daniels case, there are Laws of impiety or iniquity, made of purpose to entrap the innocent, by them that confess, We shall find no fault against this Daniel, except it be concerning the Law of his God: And then men must be taken in these Spiders webs, and accused as schismatical, or what the contrivers please. And especially when it is real Holiness which is hated, and Order, Unity, Concord, Peace or Obedience to our Pastors, is made the pretence, for the malicious oppression of it. Gildas and Salvian have told Church Governors of this at large: And many of the persecuted Protestants have more largely told the Roman Clergy of it.
But it is the most heinous cruelty, when, as in Daniels case, there are Laws of impiety or iniquity, made of purpose to intrap the innocent, by them that confess, We shall find no fault against this Daniel, except it be concerning the Law of his God: And then men must be taken in these Spiders webs, and accused as schismatical, or what the contrivers please. And especially when it is real Holiness which is hated, and Order, Unity, Concord, Peace or Obedience to our Pastors, is made the pretence, for the malitious oppression of it. Gildas and Salvian have told Church Governours of this at large: And many of the persecuted Protestants have more largely told the Roman Clergy of it.
It is a smart complaint of him that wrote the Epist. de malis Doctoribus, ascribed to P. Sixtus 3. [Hujus doctrinae causa (pro sanctitate scilicet) paucos amicos conquirunt, & plures inimicos: Necesse est enim eos qui peccatorum vitia condemnant, tantos habere contrarios, quantos exercere vitia delectat: In de est etiam quod iniquis & impiis factionibus opprimuntur: quod criminibus falsis appetuntur, quod haeresis etiam perfunduntur infamia: quod hic omnis inimicorum suorum sermo ab ipsorum sumit obtrectatione materiam. Sed quid mirum ut flagitiosis haeresis videatur doctrina justitiae? Quibus tamen haeresis? Ipsorum secretum patet tantum inimicis; cum si fides dictis inesset, amici illud potius scire potuissent, &c.]