A26892:6219
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.
8. Because else it would be the greatest act of Charity in the world, to send Soldiers to catch up all Heathens and Infidels Children and Baptize them; which no Christians ever yet thought their duty. Yea it would be too strong a temptation to them to kill them when they had done, that they might be all undoubtedly saved.
8. Because else it would be the greatest act of Charity in the world, to send Souldiers to catch up all Heathens and Infidels Children and Baptize them; which no Christians ever yet thought their duty. Yea it would be too strong a temptation to them to kill them when they had done, that they might be all undoubtedly saved.
Obj. But that were to do evil that good might come by it.
Answ. But God is not to be so dishonoured as to be supposed to make such Laws, as shall forbid men the greatest good in the World, and then to tempt them by the greatness of the benefit to take it to be no evil: As if he said, [If Soldiers would go take up a million of Heathens Children and Baptize them, it will put them into an undoubted state of salvation: But yet I forbid them doing it: And if they presently kill them, lest they sin after, they shall undoubtedly be saved; but yet I forbid them doing it.] I need not aggravate this temptation to them that know the power of the Law of nature, which is the Law of Love and good works, and how God that is most Good is pleased in our doing good: Though he tried Abraham's obedience once, as if he should have killed his Son, yet he stopped him before the execution: And doth he ordinarily exercise mens obedience, by forbidding them to save the souls of others, when it is easily in their power? Especially when with the adult the greatest labour and powerfullest Preaching, is frequently so frustrate, that not one of many is converted by it.