A26892:8426
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.
§. 19. 3. And by a marvellous providence God doth so over-rule, the tongue of fame, and the pens of Historians, and the thoughts of men, that commonly the names of Persecutors stink when they are dead: yea, though they were never so much honoured and flattered while they were alive! What odious names are the names of Pharaoh, Ahab, Pilate, Herod, Nero, Domitian, Diocletian, &c.? What a name hath the French Massacre left on Charles the ninth? And the English persecution on Queen Mary? And so of others throughout the world! Yea, what a blot leaveth it on Asa, Amaziah, or any, that do but hurt a Prophet of the Lord! The eleventh Chapter of the Hebrews, and all the Mar•yrologies that are written to preserve the name of the witnesses of Christ, are all the records of the impiety, and the perpetual shame of those, by whom they suffered. Even Learning, and Wisdom, and common Virtue, hath got that estimation in the nature of man, that he that persecuteth but a Seneca, a Cicero, a Demosthenes, or a Socrates, hath irrecoverably wounded his reputation to posterity, and left his name to the hatred of all succeeding ages. Prov. 10. 7. The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.
§. 19. 3. And by a marvellous providence God doth so over-rule, the tongue of fame, and the pens of Historians, and the thoughts of men, that commonly the names of Persecutors stink when they are dead: yea, though they were never so much honoured and flattered while they were alive! What odious names are the names of Pharaoh, Ahab, Pilate, Herod, Nero, Domitian, Dioclesian, &c.? What a name hath the French Massacre left on Charles the ninth? And the English persecution on Queen Mary? And so of others throughout the world! Yea, what a blot leaveth it on Asa, Amaziah, or any, that do but hurt a Prophet of the Lord! The eleventh Chapter of the Hebrews, and all the Mar•yrologies that are written to preserve the name of the witnesses of Christ, are all the records of the impity, and the perpetual shame of those, by whom they suffered. Even Learning, and Wisdom, and common Virtue, hath got that estimation in the nature of man, that he that persecuteth but a Seneca, a Cicero, a Demosthenes, or a Socrates, hath irrecoverably wounded his reputation to posterity, and left his name to the hatred of all succeeding ages. Prov. 10. 7