A26892:733
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.
§. 11. Direct. 8. Turn your eye upon the rebellious Nations of the earth, and upon the state of the 1most malignant and ungodly men, and consider that such madness and misery as you discern i• them, every wilful disobedience to God doth tend to, and partaketh of in its degree. To see a swinish Drunkard in his Vomit; to hear a raging Bedlam curse and swear; or a malignant Wretch blaspheme and scorn at a holy life; to hear how foolishly they talk against God; and see how maliciously they hate his servants, one would think should turn ones stomach against all sin for ever. To think what Bea•s or incarnate Devils many of the ungodly are: to think what confusion and inhumanity possesseth most of those Nations that know not God, one would think should make the least degree of sin seem odious to us, when the dominion and ripeness of it is so odious.2
- 1Direct. 8.
- 2Direct. 9.
§. 12. Direct. 9. Mark what obedience is expected by men; and what influence Government hath upon the state and affairs of the would, and what the world would be without it; and sure this will make you think honourably and delightfully of the Government of God. What would a Nation be without Government, but like a company of Thieves and lawless Murderers? or like the Pikes in a Pond, that first eat up the other Fish, and then devour one another, the greater living upon the less. Bears and Wolves would live quietlier together, than ungoverned men (except those few that are truly subject to the Government of God.) Government maintaineth every man in his propriety; and keepeth lust and madness from breaking out; and keepeth peace and order in the world. What would a family ⟨p. 87⟩