A Christian Directory, Part 4: Christian PoliticsBaxter, Richard
Religion
A Christian Directory, Part 4: Christian Politics
Baxter, Richard
Casuistry; Christian sociology
_Quest._ Must we reprove infidels or heathens? What have we to do
to judge them that are without?
_Answ._ Not to the ends of excommunication, because they are not
capable of it,[153] which is meant 1 Cor. v. But we must reprove them,
first, In common compassion to their souls. What were the apostles and
other preachers sent for, but to call all men from their sins to God?
Secondly, And for the defence of truth and godliness, against their
words, or ill examples.
[147] 2 Thess. iii. 15; 2 Cor. ii. 4; Gal. vi. 1; 2 Tim. ii. 25;
1 Thess. v. 13.
[148] Col. iii. 16.
[149] Ezek. xxxiii. xxxiv.; Gal. vi. 1; Tit. ii. 4.
[150] Ezek. ix. 4; 2 Pet. ii. 7, 8.
[151] Prov. ix. 7, 8; Matt. vii. 6.
[152] Gen. xx. 36; Job xiii. 13; Heb. xiii. 22; 2 Pet. i. 13;
2 Tim. ii. 25, 26.
[153] Deut. xxii. 1.
CHAPTER XVII.
DIRECTIONS FOR KEEPING PEACE WITH ALL MEN.
Peace is so amiable to nature itself, that the greatest destroyers of
it do commend it; and those persons in all times and places, who are
the cause that the world cannot enjoy it, will yet speak well of it,
and exclaim against others as the enemies of peace; as if there were
no other name but their own sufficient to make their adversaries
odious. As they desire salvation, so do the ungodly desire peace;
which is with a double error; one about the nature of it, and another
about the conditions and other means. By peace they mean, the quiet,
undisturbed enjoyment of their honours, wealth, and pleasures; that
they may have their lusts and will without any contradiction; and the
conditions on which they would have it are, the compliance of all
others with their opinions and wills, and humble submission to their
domination, passions, or desires. But peace is another thing, and
otherwise to be desired and sought. Peace in the mind is the
delightful effect of its internal harmony, as peace in the body is
nothing but its pleasant health, in the natural position, state,
action, and concord of all the parts, the humours, and spirits: and
peace in families, neighbourhoods, churches, kingdoms, or other
societies, is the quietness and pleasure of their order and harmony;
and must be attained and preserved by these following means.
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