A26892:8701
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.
§ 7. Direct. 6. Avoid all revengeful and provoking words. When the poison of Asps is under mens1 lips, (Rom. 3. 13.) no wonder if the hearers minds that are not sufficiently antidoted against it, fester. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: Prov. 18. 21. When the tongue is as a Sword, yea, a sharp sword, (Psal. 57. 4.) and when it is purposely whetted, (Psal. 64. 3.) But no marvel if it pierce, and wound them that are unarmed. But by long forbearing a Prince is persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone, Prov. 25. 15. A railer is numbered with those that a Christian must not eat with, 1 Cor. 5. For Christianity is so much for Peace, that it abhorreth all that is against it. Our Lord when he was reviled, reviled not again, and in this was our example, 1 Pet. 2. 21, 23. A scorning, railing, reproachful tongue, is set (as James saith 3. 6.) on fire of Hell, and it setteth on fire the course of nature, even persons, families, Churches and Common-wealths. Many a a ruined society may say by experience, Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth. James 3. 5.
§ 7. Direct. 6. Avoid all revengeful and provoking words. When the poyson of Asps is under mens1 lips, (Rom. 3. 13.) no wonder if the hearers minds that are not sufficiently antidoted against it, fester. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: