A26892:8413
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.
§. 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, Act. 9. 4, 5. I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks! with bare feet or hands to beat the thorns! How unmeet a match is man for God! He needeth not so much as a word to take away thy soul, and crush thee to the lowest Hell. His will alone can lay thee under thy deserved pains. Canst thou Conquer the Almighty God? Wilt thou assault the Power which was never overcome, or storm Jehovahs Throne or Kingdom? First try to take down the Sun and Moon and Stars from the Firmament, and to stop the course of the Rivers or of the Sea; and to rebuke the Winds, and turn night into day, and Winter into Summer, and decrepit Age into vigorous Youth: Attempt not greater matters till thou hast performed these: It is a greater matter than any of these, to conquer God whose cause thou fightest against. Hear him again,