A26892:960
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.
§. 24. 3. He maketh very great advantage of the Common Customs of the Country that men live in: This carrieth away thousands and millions at once. When the common vote and custom is for sin, and against Christ and holiness, particular persons think themselves excused, that they are no wiser, or better than all the Country about them. And they think they are much the safer for sinning in so great a crowd, and doing but as most men do; and he that contradicteth them, cometh on great disadvantage in their eye, when he is to oppose an Army of adversaries, and seemeth to think himself wiser than so many.
§. 24. 3. He maketh very great advantage of the Common Customs of the Countrey that men live in: This carrieth away thousands and millions at once. When the common vote and custom is for sin, and against Christ and holiness, particular persons think themselves excused, that they are no wiser, or better than all the Countrey about them. And they think they are much the safer for sinning in so great a crowd, and doing but as most men do; and he that contradicteth them, cometh on great disadvantage in their eye, when he is to oppose an Army of adversaries, and seemeth to think himself wiser than so many.
§. 25. 4. Also he is exceeding industrious to get Education on his side: He knoweth how apt men are to retain the form which they were moulded or cast into at first: If he get the first possession, by actual as well as Original sin, he is not easily cast out. Especially when Education doth conspire with Common Custom, it delivereth most of the people and Kingdoms of the Earth into his hands.
§. 25. 4. Also he is exceeding industrious to get Education on his side: He knoweth how apt men are to retain the form which they were molded or cast into at first: If he get the first possession, by actual as well as Original sin, he is not easily cast out. Especially when Education doth conspire with Common Custom, it delivereth most of the people and Kingdoms of the Earth into his hands.