A26892:962
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.
§. 26. 5. Also he is industrious to get the approved Doctrine of the Teachers of the people on his side. If he can get it to pass once for a Revelation or Command of God, he will quickly conquer conscience by it, and take down all resistance: He never doth war more successfully against God, than when he beareth the name of God in his colours, and fighteth against him in his own name. Mahometans, Jews, Papists, and all Heretics are the Trophies and Monuments of his victories by this way. Mischief is never so much reverenced, nor proceedeth so successfully, as when it is made a Religion! When the Devil can charge men to do his business in the Name of God, and upon pain of damnation, he hath got the strongest weapons that ever he can make use of. His ordinary bait is some fleshly pleasure; but he goeth high indeed when he presumeth to offer the everlasting pleasures: He tempted Christ with all the Kingdoms and glory of the world: But he tempteth many millions of souls, with the offers of the Kingdom of Heaven it self. For he will offer it to them that he is endeavouring to keep from it; and make it the bait to draw men from it into the way to Hell.
§. 26. 5. Also he is industrious to get the approved Doctrine of the Teachers of the people on his side. If he can get it to pass once for a Revelation or Command of God, he will quickly conquer conscience by it, and take down all resistance: He never doth war more successfully against God, than when he beareth the name of God in his colours, and fighteth against him in his own name. Mahometans, Jews, Papists, and all Hereticks are the Trophies and Monuments of his victories by this way. Mischief is never so much reverenced, nor proceedeth so successfully, as when it is made a Religion! When the Devil can charge men to do his business in the Name of God, and upon pain of damnation, he hath got the strongest weapons that ever he can make use of. His ordinary bait is some fleshly pleasure; but he goeth high indeed when he presumeth to offer the everlasting pleasures: He tempted Christ with all the Kingdoms and glory of the world: But he tempteth many millions of souls, with the offers of the Kingdom of Heaven it self. For he will offer it to them that he is endeavouring to keep from it; and make it the bait to draw men from it into the way to Hell.