A26892:864
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.
39. It is a making a breach in the harmony and order of the world: As the dislocation or deformity of a particular member, is the trouble and deformity of all the Body, because the comeliness and welfare of the whole, containeth the comeliness, proportion and welfare of all the parts: And as the dislocation or breaking of one part in a Watch or Clock, is against the use of all the engine; so every man being a part of the Kingdom of God, doth by sin make a breach in the order of the whole: and also giveth an ill example to other parts, and makes himself unserviceable to the body: and dishonoureth the whole body with the blot of Rebellion; and lets in judgement on the world; and kindleth a consuming fire in the place where he liveth; and is cruel and injurious to others.
39. It is a making a breach in the harmonie and order of the world: As the dislocation or deformity of a particular member, is the trouble and deformity of all the Body, because the comliness and welfare of the whole, containeth the comliness, proportion and welfare of all the parts: And as the dislocation or breaking of one part in a Watch or Clock, is against the use of all the engine; so every man being a part of the Kingdom of God, doth by sin make a breach in the order of the whole: and also giveth an ill example to other parts, and makes himself unserviceable to the body: and dishonoureth the whole body with the blot of Rebellion; and lets in judgement on the world; and kindleth a consuming fire in the place where he liveth; and is cruel and injurious to others.
40. Sin is not only a preferring the Body before the Soul, but it is also an Unmercifulness, or Cruelty against our selves, both soul and body, and so is contrary to the true use of the indelible principle of self-love: For it is a wounding and abusing the Soul, and defiling the Body in this life, and a casting both on the wrath of God; and into the flames of Hell hereafter, or a dangerous venturing them into the way of endless damnation and despair: and a contempt of those insufferable torments. All these parts of malignity and poison are intrinsical to sin and found in the very Nature of it.
40. Sin is not only a preferring the Body before the Soul, but it is also an Unmercifulness, or Cruelty against our selves, both soul and body, and so is contrary to the true use of the indeleble principle of self-love: For it is a wounding and abusing the Soul, and defiling the Body in this life, and a casting both on the wrath of God; and into the flames of Hell hereafter, or a dangerous venturing them into the way of endless damnation and despair: and a contempt of those insufferable torments. All these parts of malignity and poyson are intrinsecal to sin and found in the very Nature of it.