A26892:8308
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.
§. 23. Consid. 17. Consider how much fitter means there are at hand, to right your self, and attain1 any ends that are good, than by passion, malice or revenge. If your end be nothing but to do mischief, and make another miserable, you are to the world as mad Dogs, and Wolves, and Serpents to the Country; and they that know you will be as glad when the world is rid of you, as when an Adder or a Toad is killed. But if your end be only to right your selves, and to reclaim your enemy, or reform your brother, fury and revenge is not the way. God hath appointed Governors to do justice in Common-wealths and Families, and to those you may repair, and not take upon you to revenge your selves: And, God himself is the most righteous Governor of all the world, and to him you may confidently refer the case, when Magistrates and Rulers fail you: and his judgement will be soon enough and severe enough. And if you would rather have your neighbour reclaimed than destroyed, it is Love and gentleness that are the way, with peaceable convictions, and such reasonings as show that you desire his Good! Overcome him with kindness, if you would melt him into repentance, and heap coals of fire on his head. If thy enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: This is overcoming evil with good, (and not by beastly fury to overcome him): but when you are drawn to sinful passion and revenge, you are overcome of evil, Rom. 12. 19, 20, 21. If you would do good, it must be by good, and not by evil.
§. 23. Consid. 17. Consider how much fitter means there are at hand, to right your self, and attain1 any ends that are good, than by passion, malice or revenge. If your end be nothing but to do mischief, and make another miserable, you are to the world as mad Dogs, and Wolves, and Serpents to the Countrey; and they that know you will be as glad when the world is rid of you, as when an Adder or a Toad is killed. But if your end be only to right your selves, and to reclaim your enemy, or reform your brother, fury and revenge is not the way. God hath appointed Governours to do justice in Common-wealths and Families, and to those you may repair, and not take upon you to revenge your selves: And, God himself is the most righteous Governour of all the world, and to him you may confidently referr the case, when Magistrates and Rulers fail you: and his judgement will be soon enough and severe enough. And if you would rather have your neighbour reclaimed than destroyed, it is Love and gentleness that are the way, with peaceable convictions, and such reasonings as shew that you desire his Good! Overcome him with kindness, if you would melt him into repentance, and heap coals of fire on his head. If thy enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: This is overcoming evil with good, (and not by beastly fury to overcome him): but when you are drawn to sinful passion and revenge, you are overcome of evil,