A26892:8691
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 17: Directions for keeping Peace with all men.
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.
CHAP. XVII. Directions for keeping Peace with all men.
§. 1. Peace is so amiable to Nature it self, that the greatest destroyers of it do commend it; and those persons in all times and places, who are the cause that the world cannot enjoy it, will yet speak well of it, and exclaim against others as the enemies of peace: as if there were no other name but their Own, sufficient to make their adversaries odious. As they desire salvation, so do the ungodly desire Peace; which is with a double error; one about the Nature of it, and another about the Conditions and other Means. By Peace they mean, the quiet undisturbed enjoyment of their honours, wealth and pleasures; that they may have their lusts and will without any contradiction: And the Conditions on which they would have it are, the compliance of all others with their opinions and wills, and humble submission to their domination, passions, or desires. But Peace is another thing, and otherwise to be desired and sought. Peace in the mind is the delightful effect of its internal harmony, as Peace in the body is nothing but its pleasant health, in the natural position, state, action and concord of all the parts, the humours and spirits: And Peace in Families, Neighbourhoods, Churches, Kingdoms, or other Societies, is the quietness, and pleasure of their order and harmony; and must be attained and preserved by these following means.
§. 1. PEace is so amiable to Nature it self, that the greatest destroyers of it do commend it; and those persons in all times and places, who are the cause that the world cannot enjoy it, will yet speak well of it, and exclaim against others as the enemies of peace: as if there were no other name but their Own, sufficient to make their adversaries odious. As they desire salvation, so do the ungodly desire Peace; which is with a double error; one about the Nature of it, and another about the Conditions and other Means. By Peace they mean, the quiet undisturbed enjoyment of their honours, wealth and pleasures; that they may have their lusts and will without any contradiction: And the Conditions on which they would have it are, the complyance of all others with their opinions and wills, and humble submission to their domination, passions, or desires. But Peace is another thing, and otherwise to be desired and sought. Peace in the mind is the delightful effect of its internal harmony, as Peace in the body is nothing but its pleasant health, in the natural position, state, action and concord of all the parts, the humours and spirits: And Peace in Families, Neighbourhoods, Churches, Kingdoms, or other Societies, is the quietness, and pleasure of their order and harmony; and must be attained and preserved by these following means.