A26892:8437
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.
§. 29. Direct. 9. And hearkening to malicious backbiters and slanderers, and favouring the enemies 1of Godliness in their calumnies, will engage men in persecution ere they are aware. For when the wicked are in the favour, and at the ear of Rulers, they have opportunity to vent those false reports, which they never want a will to vent! And any thing may be said of men behind their backs, with an appearance of truth, when there is none to contradict it. If Haman may be heard, the Jews shall be destroyed, as not being for the Kings profit, nor obedient to his Laws. If Sanballat and Tobiah may be heard, the building of the Walls of Jerusalem, shall signify no better than an intended rebellion. They are true words, though to some ungrateful, which are spoken by the Holy Ghost, Prov. 29. 12. [If a Ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked] (for they will soon accommodate themselves to so vicious a humour) Prov. 25. 4, 5. Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer: Take away the wicked from before the King; and his Throne shall be established in righteousness. If the Devil might be believed, Job was one that served God for gain, and might have been made to curse him to his face. And if his servants may be believed, there is nothing so vile which the best men are not guilty of.
§. 29. Direct. 9. And hearkning to malitious backbiters and slanderers, and favouring the enemies 1of Godliness in their calumnies, will engage men in persecution ere they are aware. For when the wicked are in the favour, and at the ear of Rulers, they have opportunity to vent those false reports, which they never want a will to vent! And any thing may be said of men behind their backs, with an appearance of truth, when there is none to contradict it. If Haman may be heard, the Jews shall be destroyed, as not being for the Kings profit, nor obedient to his Laws. If Sanballat and Tobiah may be heard, the building of the Walls of Ierusalem, shall signifie no better than an intended rebellion. They are true words, though to some ungrateful, which are spoken by the Holy Ghost,