A26892:8926
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 19 › Section 4: Tit. 4. Cases of Conscience about Lending and Borrowing.
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.
Answ. If you have no rational way to manifest the soundness of that hope to another, it is but to pretend faith and hope for thievery and deceit.
Object. God hath promised, that those that fear him shall want no good thing? and therefore I hope I may be able to repay it.
Answ. If you want not, Why do you borrow? If you have enough to keep you alive by begging, God maketh good all his promises to you: Yea, or if you dye by famine. For he only promiseth you that which is best; which for ought you know may be beggary or death. God breaketh not promise with his servants who dye in common famine, no more than with them that dye in Plagues or Wars. Make not God the Patron of sin. Yea, and your faith a pretence for your distrust. If you trust God, use no sinful means: If you trust him not, this pleading of his promise is hypocrisy.
Answ. If you want not, Why do you borrow? If you have enough to keep you alive by begging, God maketh good all his promises to you: Yea, or if you dye by famine. For he only promiseth you that which is best; which for ought you know may be beggery or death. God breaketh not promise with his servants who dye in common famine, no more than with them that dye in Plagues or Wars. Make not God the Patron of sin. Yea, and your faith a pretence for your distrust. If you trust God, use no sinful means: If you trust him not, this pleading of his promise is hypocrisie.