A26892:970
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.
§. 33. 2. The Devil usually chooseth for his Instruments, men that have no great tenderness of conscience, or fear of sinning or of hurting souls. He would have no such Cowards in his Army, as men fearing God are as to his Ends: It must be men that will venture upon hell themselves, and fear not much the loss of their own souls; and therefore must not be too tender or fearful of destroying others. Butchers and Soldiers must not be chosen out of too tender or loving a sort of people: such are not fit to go through his work.
§. 33. 2. The Devil usually chooseth for his Instruments, men that have no great tenderness of conscience, or fear of sinning or of hurting souls. He would have no such Cowards in his Army, as men fearing God are as to his Ends: It must be men that will venture upon hell themselves, and fear not much the loss of their own souls; and therefore must not be too tender or fearful of destroying others. Butchers and Souldiers must not be chosen out of too tender or loving a sort of people: such are not fit to go through his work.
§. 34. 3. He usually chooseth Instruments that are most deeply engaged in his cause: whose preferment, and honour, and gain, and carnal interest shall be to them, as Nature is to a dog, or wolf, or fox, or other ravenous creature: who think it a loss, or danger, or suffering to them, if others be not hundred in good, or made as bad as they. Thus Demetrius and the other crafts-men that1 lived upon the trade, are the fittest to plead Diana's cause, and stir up the people against the Apostles. And the Jews were the fittest Instruments to persecute Christ, who thought that if they let him alone, all men would believe on him, and the Romans would come and take away both their place and nation: and that it was expedient for them that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. John 11. 48, 49. And Pilate was the fittest Instrument to condemn him, who feared that he should else be taken to be none of Caesars friend. And Pharaoh was the fittest Instrument to persecute the Israelites, who was like to lose by their departure.