A26892:8296
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.
§. 12. Consid. 6. Nay, it is the unhappiness of all mankind, that their corruptions will in some measure 1be injurious to all that they have to do with; and it is impossible for such distempered sinners to live together, and not by their mistakes, or selfishness, or passions, to exercise the patience and forbearance of each other. Therefore you must either be malicious and revengeful against all mankind, or else against none on such accounts as are common to all.
§. 12. Consid. 6. Nay, it is the unhappiness of all mankind, that their corruptions will in some measure 1be injurious to all that they have to do with; and it is impossible for such distempered sinners to live together, and not by their mistakes, or selfishness, or passions, to exercise the patience and forbearance of each other. Therefore you must either be malitious and revengeful against all mankind, or else against none on such accounts as are common to all.
- 1Consid. 6.
§. 13. Observe also how easily you can forgive your selves, though you do a thousand fold more against 1your selves, than ever any enemy did. It is not their wrongs or offences against you, that you are in any danger of being damned for: You shall not suffer for their sins, but for your own! In the day of judgement, it is not your sufferings from others, but your own offences against God that will be charged upon you: and if ever you be undone, it will be by these! Men or Devils can never do that against you, which by every sin you do against your selves! No robber, no oppressor, no persecutor, no deceiver, can ever hurt you so much as you hurt your selves: And yet how gently do you take it at your own hands? How easily do you pardon it to your selves? How lovingly do you think of your selves? So far are you from malice or revenge against your selves, that you can scarce endure to hear plainly of your sins? But are more inclined to bear malice against those that do reprove you. Judge whether this be equal dealing? and loving your neighbours as your selves?