A26892:8300
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.
§. 16. Consid. 10. Do you not understand that your passion, malice and revenge, 1. Do hurt your 1selves much more than they can hurt another, and 2. Much more than any other can hurt you. Would you be revenged on another! And will you therefore hurt your selves? The stone of reproach which you cast at him, doth fly back into your face, and wound your selves. Do you not feel that the fire of •assion and malice, are like a scorching Fever, which overthrow your health and quietness, and fill you full of restlessness and pain? And will you do this against your selves, because another hath abused you? Did not he that offended you, do enough against you? If you would have more, why are you offended with him? If you would not have more, why do you inflict it on your selves? If you love disquietness, why do you complain of him that doth disquiet you! If you do not, why do you disquiet your selves? and that much more than he can do? He that wrongeth you, toucheth but your estates, or bodies or names: It may be it is but by a blast of wind, the words of his mouth: And will you therefore wound your selves at the very heart? God hath locked up your Heart from others: None can touch that but your selves: Their words, their wrongs cannot reach your Hearts, unless you open them the door, yea, unless it be your own doing! Will you take the Dagger which pierced but your skin, and pierce your own hearts with it, because another so much wronged you? If you do, blame no one for it so much as your selves: Blame them for touching your estates or names, but blame your selves for all that is at your hearts. And if you might desire another's hurt, it is folly to hurt your selves much more, and to do a greater mischief to your selves, that so you may do a less to him: If you rail at him, or slander, or defame him, you touch but his reputation: If you trouble him at Law, you touch but his estate: If you beat him, it reacheth but to his flesh! But the passion and guilt is a fire in your own hearts; and the wrath of God which you procure, doth fall upon your souls for ever! I have heard but of a few that have said openly [I am contented to be damned, so I may but be avenged]: But many thousands speak it by their deeds. And O how just is their damnation, who will run into Hell that they may hurt another!
§. 16. Consid. 10. Do you not understand that your passion, malice and revenge, 1. Do hurt your 1