A26892:8412
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.
§. 6. I omit many other less considerable distributions: And also those afflictions which are but improperly called persecutions; (as when a man is punished for a fault in a far greater measure than it deserveth: this is Injustice, but not persecution, (unless it be his Religion and Obedience to God, which is the secret cause of it.)
§. 7. Direct. 2. Understand well the greatness of the sin of Persecution, that you may be kept in a 1due fear of being tempted to it. Here therefore I shall show you how Great a sin it is.
§. 7. Direct. 2. Understand well the greatness of the sin of Persecution, that you may be kept in a 1due fear of being tempted to it. Here therefore I shall shew you how Great a sin it is.
- 1Direct. 2.
§. 8. 1. Persecution is a fighting against God: So it is called, Act. 5. 39. And to fight against God, is odious Malignity, and desperate folly: 1. It is Venomous malignity, for a Creature to fight against his Creator, and a sinner against his Redeemer who would save him; and for so blind a worm to rise up against the wisdom of the All-knowing God! and for so vile a sinner to oppose the fountain of Love and Goodness! 2. And what Folly can be greater, than for a Mole to reproach the Sun for darkness? or a lump of Earth to take up Arms against the Almighty terrible God? Art thou able to make good thy cause against him? or to stand before him when he is offended, and chargeth thee with sin? Hear a Pharisee, Act. 6. 38, 39. [And now I say unto you, refrain from these men and let them alone; for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest happily ye be found even to fight against God.] Or hear Christ himself,