A26892:8250
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.
Yet for all this, so deep is the Enmity, so potent is the Devil; so blinding a thing is sin and interest and passion, that still one Generation of persecutors doth succeed the others; and they kill the present Saints while they honour the dead ones, and build them Monuments, and say, If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the Prophets blood. Read well Matth. 23. 29. to the end. What a Sea of righteous blood hath malignity and persecuting zeal drawn out?
Yet for all this, so deep is the Enmity, so potent is the Devil; so blinding a thing is sin and interest and passion, that still one Generation of persecuters doth succeed the others; and they kill the present Saints while they honour the dead ones, and build them Monuments, and say, If we had lived in the dayes of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the Prophets blood. Read well Matth. 23. 29. to the end. What a Sea of righteous blood hath malignity and persecuting zeal drawn out?
§. 5. 4. Another cause of Murder is Rash and unrighteous judgement. When Judges are ignorant, or partial, or perverted by passion, or prejudice or respect of persons: But though many an innocent hath suffered this way, I hope among Christians, this is one of the rarest Causes.
§. 6. 5. Another way of murder is by oppression and uncharitableness; when the poor are kept destitute of necessaries to preserve their lives: Though few of them die directly of famine, yet thousands of them dye of those sicknesses which they contract, by unwholesome food. And all those are guilty of their death, either that cause it by oppression, or that relieve them not when they are able and obliged to it,