A26892:8419
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. 5. Persecution is unjustice, and oppression of the innocent! And what a multitude of terrible threatenings against this sin are found throughout the holy Scriptures? Doth a man deserve to be cruelly used, for being faithful to his God, and for preferring him before man? and for being afraid to sin against him? or for doing that which God commandeth him, and that upon pain of greater sufferings, than man can inflict upon him? Is it not his Saviour that hath said, Fear not them that can kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do: but fear him who after he hath killed hath power to cast into Hell; yea, I say unto you, fear him: Though Christianity was once called a Sect which every where was spoken against, Act. 28. 22. and Paul was accused as a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among the people, Act. 24. 5. and Christ was Crucified as a Usurper of the Crown; yet innocency shall be innocency still in spite of malice, and lying accusations; because God will be the final Judge, and will bring all secret things to light, and will justify those whom injustice hath condemned, and will not call them as slandering tongues have called them. Yea the Consciences of the persecutors are often forced to say, as they did of Daniel, Dan. 6. 5. We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the Law of his God. And therefore the net which they were fain to lay for him, was a Law against his Religion or prayers to God; For a Law against Treason, sedition, swearing, drunkenness, fornication, &c. would have done them no service! And yet they would fain have aspersed him there, verse 4. Jer. 22. 13. Woe to hi• that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, &c. Isa. 33. 1. Woe to thee that spoilest and thou wast not spoiled: Isa. 5. 20. Woe to them that call evil good and good evil: Jer. 2. 34. In thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: