A26892:8193
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.
Part 4 › Chapter 4: Directions to Lawyers about their Duty to God.
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.
§. 5. Direct. 3. Be not Counsellors or Advocates against God, that is, against Justice, Truth or Innocency. A b•d cause would have no Patrons, if there were no bad or ignorant Lawyers. Its a dear bought fee, which is got by sinning; especially by such a wilful aggravated sin, as the deliberate1 pleading for iniquity, or opposing of the Truth. Judas his gain and Ahithophel's counsel will be too hot at last for conscience; and sooner drive them to hang themselves in the review, than afford them any true content: As St. James saith to them that he calleth to weep and howl, 2for their approaching misery, Your Riches are corrupted, and your garments moth-eaten, your Gold and Silver is cankered, and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire: ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. What ever you say or do against truth, and innocency, and justice, you do it against God himself. And is it not a sad case that among professed Christians, there is no cause so bad but can find an Advocate for a fee? I speak not against just counsel to a man that hath a bad cause (to tell him it is bad, and persuade him to disown it): Nor I speak not against you for pleading against excessive penalties or damages: For so far your cause is good, though the main cause of your Client was bad: But he that speaketh or counselleth another for the defence of sin, or the wronging of the innocent, or the defrauding another of his right, and will open his mouth to the injury of the just, for a little money, or for a friend, must try whether that money or friend will save him from the vengeance of the Universal Judge (unless faith and true repentance which will cause Confession and Restitution, do prevent it).
§. 5. Direct. 3. Be not Counsell•rs or Advocates against God, that is, against Iustice, Truth or Innocency. A b•d cause would have no Patrons, if there were no bad or ignorant Lawyers. Its a dear bought fee, which is got by sinning; especially by such a wilful aggravated sin, as the deliberate1 pleading for iniquity, or opposing of the Truth. Iudas his gain and Aohitophels counsel will be too hot at last for conscience; and sooner drive them to hang themselves in the review, than afford them any true content: As St. Iames saith to them that he calleth to weep and howl,