A26892:8584
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.
§. 14. 14. Also persuading sinners to do evil, and dissuading them from a Godly life, is another way of murdering souls. The Devils Temptations are most by instruments. He hath his Preachers as well as Christ: And it were well if they did not overgo us in earnestness, frequency and constancy. ⟨p. 94⟩Where is there a poor soul, that is moved by God to Turn and Live, but the devil hath some at hand to drive them from it? by persuading them that it is needless, and that all is well with them, and telling them some dismal stories of a holy life.
§. 14. 14. Also perswading sinners to do evil, and disswading them from a Godly life, is another way of murdering souls. The Devils Temptations are most by instruments. He hath his Preachers as well as Christ: And it were well if they did not overgoe us in earnestness, frequency and constancy. ⟨p. 94⟩Where is there a poor soul, that is moved by God to Turn and Live, but the devil hath some at hand to drive them from it? by perswading them that it is needless, and that all is well with them, and telling them some dismal stories of a holy life.
§. 15. 15. Another way of soul murder, is by laying baits of deceit and sin, before the sinner: As men destroy Rats and Mice by baits and sweetened poison, or catch Fishes or Birds, by covering their death with something which they most love: So doth the Devil and his instruments destroy souls, the baits of a pleasant cup, or pleasant company, or pleasant meats, or pleasant sports, or Plays, or Games: A Feast, a Tavern, an Ale-house, a Whore, a Stage-play, a Romance, a pair of Cards or Dice, can do the deed. If he can possibly he will prove it a thing lawful; If he cannot he will prove it a venial sin: If that cannot be, he will drown consideration, and stop the mouth of Reason, and Conscience, and cry, Drive on. Some have yet higher baits than these; Lordships and Lands, Dominion and Honour, to choke their souls.