A26892:8244
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.
§. 2. I. The Causes of Murder are either the Nearest, or the more radical and remote. The opening of the Nearest sort of Causes, will be but to tell you, how many ways of murdering the World is used to! And when you know the Cause, the contrary to it is the prevention: Avoid those Causes and you avoid the sin.
§. 2. I. The Causes of Murder are either the Neerest, or the more radical and remote. The opening of the Neerest sort of Causes, will be but to tell you, how many wayes of murdering the World is used to! And when you know the Cause, the contrary to it is the prevention: Avoid those Causes and you avoid the sin.
§. 3. 1. The greatest Cause of the cruellest murders, is unlawful wars: All that a man killeth in an unlawful war, he murdereth: And all that the Army killeth, he that setteth them a work by Command or Counsel is guilty of himself. And therefore how dreadful a thing is an unrighteous war? and how much have men need to look about them, and try every other lawful way, and suffer long, before they venture upon war. It is the skill and glory of a Soldier when he can kill more than other men. He studieth it; he maketh it the matter of his greatest care and valour and endeavour: He goeth through very great difficulties to accomplish it: This is not like a sudden or involuntary act. Thieves and Robbers kill single persons; but Soldiers murder thousands at a time: And because there is none at present to judge them for it, they wash their hands as if they were innocent, and sleep as quietly as if the avenger of blood would never come. O what Devils are those Counsellors and inc•nd•ries to Princes and States, who stir them up to unlawful wars!
§. 3. 1. The greatest Cause of the cruellest murders, is unlawful wars: All that a man killeth in an unlawful war, he murdereth: And all that the Army killeth, he that setteth them a work by Command or Counsel is guilty of himself. And therefore how dreadful a thing is an unrighteous war? and how much have men need to look about them, and try every other lawful way, and suffer long, before they venture upon war. It is the skill and glory of a Souldier when he can kill more than other men. He studyeth it; he maketh it the matter of his greatest care and valous and endeavour: He goeth through very great difficulties to accomplish it: This is not like a sudden or involuntary act. Thieves and Robbers kill single persons; but Souldiers murder thousands at a time: And because there is none at present to judge them for it, they wash their hands as if they were innocent, and sleep as quietly as if the avenger of blood would never come. O what Devils are those Counsellers and incndries to Princes and States, who stir them up to unlawful wars!