A26892:8259
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.
§. 13. 12. And Ambition is too common a Cause of Murder, among the great ones of the World: How many have dispatched others out of the World, because they stood in the way of their advancement? For a long time together it was the ordinary way of Rising and dying to the Roman and Greek Emperors; for one to procure the murder of the Emperor that he might usurp his Seat, and then to be so murdered by another himself: And every Soldier that looked for preferment by the change, was ready to be an instrument in the fact. And thus hath even the Roman seat of his Mock Holiness, for a long time and oft received its Successors, by the poison or other murdering of the possessors of the desired place. And alas how many thousand hath that See devoured to defend its Universal Empire, under the name of the spiritual Headship of the Church? How many unlawful Wars have they raised or cherished, even against Christian Emperors and Kings! How many thousands have been Massacred? How many Assassinate as Hen. 3. and Hen. 4. of France? Besides those that fires and Inquisitions have consumed: And all these have been the flames of Pride. Yea when their fellow-Sectaries in Munster and in England (the Anabaptists and Seekers) have catched some of their proud disease, it hath worked in the same way of blood and cruelty.
§. 13. 12. And Ambition is too common a Cause of Murder, among the great ones of the World: How many have dispatched others out of the World, because they stood in the way of their advancement? For a long time together it was the ordinary way of Rising and dying to the Roman and Greek Emperours; for one to procure the murder of the Emperour that he might usurp his Seat, and then to be so murdered by another himself: And every Souldier that looked for preferment by the change, was ready to be an instrument in the fact. And thus hath even the Roman seat of his Mock Holiness, for a long time and oft received its Successours, by the poison or other murdering of the possessours of the desired place. And alas how many thousand hath that See devoured to defend its Universal Empire, under the name of the spiritual Headship of the Church? How many unlawful Wars have they raised or cherished, even against Christian Emperours and Kings! How many thousands have been Massacred? How many Assassinate as Hen. 3. and Hen. 4. of France? Besides those that fires and Inquisitions have consumed: And all these have been the flames of Pride. Yea when their fellow-Sectaries in Munster and in England (the Anabaptists and Seekers) have catcht some of their proud disease, it hath workt in the same way of blood and cruelty.