A26892:8500
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.
§. 16. 7. And evil examples are the commonest sort of scandals; not as they offend or grieve, or1 are apparently sinful; but as they seem good, and therefore are temptations to the weak to imitate them. So apt are men to imitation, especially in evil, that they will do what they see another do, without examining whether it be justifiable or not. Especially if it be the example either of Great men, or of Learned men, or of men reputed eminently Godly, or of a Multitude, any of these the people are apt to imitate: This therefore is the common way of scandal! When people do that which is evil as if it were good, and thereby draw the ignorant to think it good, and so imitate them! Or else when they do that which is lawful it self, in such a manner as tendeth to deceive another, and draw him to that which is indeed unlawful; or to hinder him in any thing that is good.
- 1Feb. 11. 26.
§. 17 8. Lastly, Even Silence and Omissions also may be scandalous, and draw another into error and sin. If by silence you seem to consent to false doctrine, or to wicked works, when you have opportunity to control them, hereby you draw others to consent also to the sin: Or if you omit those public or private duties, which others may be witnesses of, you tempt them to the like omission, and to think they are no duties, but indifferent things: For in evil they will easily rest in your judgement, and say that you are wiser than they: But they are not so ductile and flexible to good.
§. 17 8. Lastly, Even Silence and Omissions also may be scandalous, and draw another into error and sin. If by silence you seem to consent to false doctrine, or to wicked works, when you have opportunity to controll them, hereby you draw others to consent also to the sin: Or if you omit those publick or private duties, which others may be witnesses of, you tempt them to the like omission, and to think they are no duties, but indifferent things: For in evil they will easily rest in your judgement, and say that you are wiser than they: But they are not so ductile and flexible to good.