A26870:107
A breviate of the life of Margaret, the daughter of Francis Charlton ... and…
A breviate of the life of Margaret, the daughter of Francis Charlton ... and wife of Richard Baxter ... : there is also published the character of her mother, truly described in her published funeral sermon, reprinted at her daughters request, called, The last work of a believer, his passing-prayer recommending his departing spirit to Christ, to be received by him.
London: printed for B. Simmons, 1681
Chapter 4: Some parcels of Counsel for her deliverance from this distressed Case, which I find res…
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.
§. 7. The next I find, is this advice against her resolution to go to London.
It's not lawful to speak an idle word, and especially deliberately; much less to go an idle journey. What if you fall sick by the way, or some weakness take you there, will not conscience ask you, who called you hither? Your weakness of spirit, that cannot endure this or that, at home, with your dearest friends, is so far below the quiet composed fortitude which you should have, that you ought not to give way to it. If you are at the command of your impatience, how are you obedient to the command of God? It's a greater work to bring your mind and will to the will of God, than to change place, or apparel, or run away as Jonah in discontent. O for a mind and will that needed no more to quiet it, than to know what is the will of God, and our duty; and in every estate therewith to be content. When you know your duty, do it resolutely and cheerfully, and scorn to run away, and turn your back, that you may do it without censure where you are unknown. Use well the means God here vouchsafes you, and do your duty with a quiet mind, and follow God in your removes.
It's not lawful to speak an idle word, and especially deliberately; much less to go an idle journey. What if you fall sick by the way, or some weakness take you there, will not conscience ask you, who called you hither? Your weakness of spirit, that cannot endure this or that, at home, with your dearest friends, is so far below the quiet composed fortitude which you should have, that you ought not to give way to it. If you are at the command of your impatience, how are you obedient to the command of God? It's a greater work to bring your mind and will to the will of God, than to change place, or apparel, or run away as Ionah in discontent. O for a mind and will that needed no more to quiet it, than to know what is the will of God, and our duty; and in every estate therewith to be content. When you know your duty, do it resolutely and cheerfully, and scorn to run away, and turn your back, that you may do it without censure where you are unknown. Use well the means God here vouchsafes you, and do your duty with a quiet mind, and follow God in your removes.