A26892:8599
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.
§. 28. 2. All men that are guilty of the sin and damnation of other men, are not equally guilty: Not only as some are pardoned upon repentance, and some remain impenitent and unpardoned: But as some contribute wilfully to the mischief, and with delight, and in a greater measure; and some only in a small degree, by an oversight, or small omission, or weak performance of a duty, by mere infirmity or surprise.
§. 28. 2. All men that are guilty of the sin and damnation of other men, are not equally guilty: Not only as some are pardoned upon repentance, and some remain impenitent and unpardoned: But as some contribute wilfully to the mischief, and with delight, and in a greater measure; and some only in a small degree, by an oversight, or small omission, or weak performance of a duty, by meer infirmity or surprize.
§. 29. 3. All that do not hinder sin, or reprove it, are not guilty of it: No more than all that do not punish it: But those only that have power and opportunity, and so are called by God to do it.
§. 30. 4. If another man will sin and destroy his soul, by the occasion of my necessary duty, I must not cease my duty to prevent such mens sin or hurt: Else one or other will by their perverseness, excuse me from almost all the duty which I should do: I must not cease praying, hearing, Sacraments, nor withdraw from Church-communion, because another will turn it to his sin. Else Satan should use the sin of others to frustrate all Gods worship. Yet I must add, that many things cease to be a duty, when another will be so hurt by them.