A26892:8540
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.
§. 4. I. Direct. 1. Consider what an evident sign it is, of a very blind or malicious soul, to be so apt 1to pick quarrels with God and godliness, because of the sins of other men.
- 1Direct. 1.
Love thinketh not ill of those we love: Ill will and malice are still ready to impute what ever is amiss, to those whom they hate: Enmity is contentious and slanderous; and will make a crime of virtue it self, and from any Topic fetch matter of reproach: There is no witness seemeth incredible to it, who speaketh any thing that is evil of those they hate. An argument a baculo ad verber• is sufficient: Thus did the Heathens by the primitive Christians. And will you do thus by God? Will you terrify your own consciences, when they shall awake, and find such an ugly Serpent in your bosom, as Malice and Enmity against your Maker and Redeemer? It is the nature of the Devil; even his principal sin. And will you not only wear his livery, but bear his image, to prove that he is your Father? and by community of natures, to prove that you must also have a communion with him in condemnation and punishment? And doth not so visible a mark of Devilism upon your souls, affright you, and make you ready to run away from your selves? Nothing but devilish malice can charge that upon God or godliness, which is done by sinners against his Laws. Would you use a friend thus? If a murder were done, or a slander raised of you, or your house were fired, or your goods stolen, would you suspect your friend of it? Or any one that you honoured, loved or thought well of? You would not certainly, but rather your enemy, or some lewd and dissolute persons that were most likely to be guilty? You are blinded by malice, if you see not how evident a proof of your devilish malice this is, to be ready when men that profess Religion do any thing amiss, to think the worse of Godliness or Religion for it! The cause of this suspicion is lodged in your own hearts.