A26892:8582
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.
Part 4 › Chapter 14: Directions against soul-murder, and partaking of other mens sins.
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.
§. 12. 12. Also idle senseless prating against Religion as a needless thing, doth serve turn to deceive the simple: Ignorant people who converse with no wiser men, are ordinarily taken with the silly cavils of a drunken sot, who hath but a little more volubility or looseness of tongue than his companions. It would make ones head and heart to ache, to hear with what reverend non-sence, one of them will talk against the doctrines or practices of Godliness, and how submissively the tractable herd receiveth and consenteth to his documents!
§. 12. 12. Also idle sensless prating against Religion as a needless thing, doth serve turn to deceive the simple: Ignorant people who converse with no wiser men, are ordinarily taken with the silly cavils of a drunken sot, who hath but a little more volubility or looseness of tongue than his companions. It would make ones head and heart to ake, to hear with what reverend non-sence, one of them will talk against the doctrines or practices of Godliness, and how submissively the tractable herd receiveth and consenteth to his documents!
§. 13. 13. Also it tendeth much to the helping of Satan, and murdering of souls, to keep up the reputation of the most ungodly, and to keep down the reputation of the good. The Devil knoweth that sin it self is such a thing as few men can love bare-faced, or commend: And that Goodness or Holiness is such a thing, as few men can hate, or at least condemn, in its proper name and colours. Therefore he seeketh to make the reputation of the Persons serve, to promote or hinder the Cause which he is for or against. He that is ashamed to say of Drunkenness or Whoredom, that they are good and honest practices, dare yet say of Drunkards and Whoremongers [They are very honest men]: And by their reputation, take off some of the odiousness of the sin, and reconcile the hearers to it. And he that cannot for shame say, of the forbearing of sin, and living a holy life, in Heavenly contemplation, prayer and obedience, that [These are hypocrisy, schism or sedition, covetousness, deceit and pride.] Yet dare say of the person who practiseth them, that [He is as Covetous, deceitful, proud, hypocritical, schismatical or seditious, as any others who make no profession of religion.] And the Devil knoweth, that though good doctrine hath no mixture of Evil, nor Christ himself any blemish or spot, yet the best persons are so faulty or defectible, that an ill report of them, is less incredible, there being too much matter to raise a suspicion on. And through their sides, it is easiest to wound the doctrine or holiness which they profess.