A26892:8248
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.
§. 4. 3. Another most heinous Cause of Murders, is a malignant enmity against the Godly, and a persecuting destructive Zeal. What a multitude of innocents hath this consumed! and what innumerable companies of holy souls are still crying for vengeance on these persecutors? The Enmity began immediately upon the fall, between the Woman's and the Serpents seed: It showed it self presently ⟨p. 51⟩in the two first men, that were born into the World. A malignant envy against the accepted Sacrifice of Abel, was able to make his Brother to be his Murderer. And it is usual with the Devil to cast some bone of carnal interest also between them, to heighten the malignant enmity. Wicked men are all Covetous, voluptuous and proud: And the doctrine and practice of the Godly doth contradict them and condemn them: And they usually espouse some wicked interest, or engage themselves in some service of the Devil, which the servants of Christ are bound in their several places and callings to resist. And then not only this resistance, though it be but by the humblest words or actions, yea the very conceit that they are not for their interest and way, doth instigate the befooled world to persecution! And thus an Ishmael and an Isaac, an Esau and a Jacob, a Saul and a David cannot live together in peace. Gal. 4. 29. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the spirit, even so it is now. Sauls interest maketh him think it just to persecute David; and religiously he blesseth those that furthered him! 1 Sam. 23. 21. Blessed be ye of the Lord, for ye have compassion on me. He justifieth himself in murdering the Priests, because he thought that they helped David against him; and Doeg seemeth but a dutiful subject, in executing his bloody command, 1 Sam. 22. And Shimei thought he might boldly curse him, 2 Sam. 16. 7, 8. And he could scarce have charged him with more odious sin, than to be [a bloody man and a man of Belial.] If the Prophet speak against Jeroboam's political Religion, he will say, Lay hold on him! 1 King. 13. 4