A26892:8432
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.
§. 25. Direct. 5. Yea, though you do prefer Christs interest in the main, You must carefully take 1beed of stepping into any forbidden way, and espousing any interest of your own or others, which is contrary to the Laws or interest of Christ. Otherwise in the defence or prosecution of your cause, you will be carried into a seeming Necessity of persecuting before you are aware: This hath been the ruin of ⟨p. 72⟩multitudes of great ones in the world. When Ahab had set himself in a way of sin, the Prophet2 must reprove him; and then he hateth and persecuteth the Prophet, because he prophesied not good of him but evil: When Jeroboam thought that his interest required him, to set up Calves at Dan and Bethel, and to make Priests for them of the ba•est of the people, the Prophet must speak against his sin: and then he stretcheth out his hand against him, and saith, Lay hold on him: If Asa sin and3 the Prophet tell him of it, his rage may proceed to imprison his reprover. If Amaziah sin with the Idolaters, the Prophet must reprove him, and he will silence him or smite him: And silenced he is,4 and what must follow? 2 Chron. 15, 16. The King said to him, Art thou made of the Kings counsel? forbear: why shouldst thou be smitten? (This seemeth to be gentle dealing.) Then the Prophet forbore and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened to my counsel. It Pilate do but hear, [If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesars friend,] he thinketh5 it his interest to crucify Christ: As Herod thought it his interest to kill him, and therefore to kill so many other Infants, when he heard of the birth of a King of the Jews. Because of an Herodias, 6