A26892:8262
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.
§. 15. By all this you may see how this sin must be prevented! (and let not any man think it a needless work! Thousands have been guilty of murder that once thought themselves as far from it as you.) 1. The soul must be possessed with the Knowledge of God, and the true Belief of his Word and judgement. 2. Hereby it must be possessed of the Fear of God, and subjection to him. 3. And the Love of God must mortify the power of selfishness; 4. And also much possess us with a true Love to our neighbours, yea and enemies, for his sake. 5. And the twelve fore-mentioned causes of murder will thus be destroyed at the Root.
§. 15. By all this you may see how this sin must be prevented! (and let not any man think it a needless work! Thousands have been guilty of murder that once thought themselves as far from it as you.) 1. The soul must be possessed with the Knowledge of God, and the true Belief of his Word and judgement. 2. Hereby it must be possessed of the Fear of God, and subjection to him. 3. And the Love of God must mortifie the power of selfishness; 4. And also much possess us with a true Love to our neighbours, yea and enemies, for his sake. 5. And the twelve fore-mentioned causes of murder will thus be destroyed at the Root.
§. 16. II. And some further help it will be to understand the Greatness of this sin: Consider therefore, 1. It is an unlawful destroying, not only a Creature of God, but one of his noblest Creatures upon earth! Even one that beareth (at least the natural) Image of God. Gen. 9. 5, 6. And surely your blood of your lives will I require: at the hand of every beast will I require it; and at the hand of man: at the hand of every mans brother will I require the life of man: whoso sheddeth mans blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. Yea God will not only have the beast slain that killeth a man, but also forbiddeth there the eating of blood, v. 4. that man might not be accustomed to cruelty.