A26892:8463
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.
§. 47. Direct. 26. Remember that such violence in doubtful matters, is the way to set up the most 1debauched Atheists, and consequently to undo Church and Common-wealth. For whatever oaths or subscriptions you require, he that believeth not that there is a God or a Devil; a Heaven or a Hell, will yield to all, and make no more of perjury or a lye, than to eat a bit of bread! If you cast out all Ministers that will not swear or subscribe this or that form about things doubtful, you will cast out never an Atheist or debauched Infidel by it: All that have no Conscience will be kept in: and all that are true to God and their Conscience, if they think it is sin which you require of them will be cast out: And whither this tendeth you may easily foresee.
§. 47. Direct. 26. Remember that such violence in doubtful matters, is the way to set up the most 1debauched Atheists, and consequently to undoe Church and Common-wealth. For whatever oaths or subscriptions you require, he that believeth not that there is a God or a Devil; a Heaven or a Hell, will yield to all, and make no more of perjury or a lye, than to eat a bit of bread! If you cast out all Ministers that will not swear or subscribe this or that form about things doubtful, you will cast out never an Atheist or debauched Infidel by it: All that have no Conscience will be kept in: and all that are true to God and their Conscience, if they think it is sin which you require of them will be cast out: And whither this tendeth you may easily foresee.
- 1Direct. 26.
§. 48. Direct. 27. Remember that if by force you do prevail with a man to go against his Conscience,1 you do but make him dissemble and lye. And if Hypocrites be not hateful to you, why do you cry out so much against hypocrites (where you cannot prove your accusation)? But if they be so hateful, why do you so eagerly make men hypocrites? What ever their tongues may say, you can scarce believe your selves that prisons or fire will change mens judgements in matters of faith and duty to God?