A26892:1753
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.
Part 1 › Chapter 4 › Part 2: Directions against Hardness of Heart.
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.
Augustine found drunkenness so common in Afric, that he motioned that a Council might be called for the suppression of it: But if a General Council of all the Learned Bishops and Pastors in the world were called, they could not convert one hardened sinner, by all their Authority, Wit or diligence, without the power of the Almighty God. For will they be converted by Man, that are hardened against God? What can we devise to say to them that can reach their hearts, and get within them, and do them good? Shall we tell them of the Law and Judgements of the Lord, and of his wrath against them? Why all these things they have heard so often till they sleep under it, or laugh ⟨p. 206⟩at them? Shall we tell them of Death, and Judgement, and Eternity? Why we speak to the posts or men asleep: They hear us as if they heard us not. Shall we tell them of endless Joy and Torments: They feel not, and therefore fear not, nor regard not: They have heard of all these, till they are a weary of hearing them, and our words seem to them, but as the noise of the Wind or Water, which is of no signification. If Miracles were wrought among them by a Preacher, that healed the sick, and raised the dead, they would wonder at him, but would not be converted. For Christ did thus, and yet prevailed but with few, John 11. 48. 53. And the Apostles wrought Miracles and yet were rejected by the most, Acts 7. 57. & 22. 22. Nay, if one of their old companions should be sent from the dead to give them warning, he might affright them, but not convert them, for Christ hath told us so himself, Luke 16. 31. Or if an Angel from Heaven should preach to them, they would be hardened still, as Balaam and others have been. Christ rose from the dead, and yet was after that rejected. We read not of the Conversion of the Soldiers that watched his Sepulchre, though they were affrighted with the sight of the Angels; but they were after that hired for a little money, to lye, and say that Christs Disciples stole him away. If Magistrates that have power on their bodies, should endeavour to bring them to Godliness, they would not obey them, nor be persuaded. King Hezekiahs messengers were but mocked by the people. David and Solomon could not convert their hardened subjects. Punish them and hang them, and they will be wicked to the death: Witness the impenitent Thief that dyed with Christ, and dyed reproaching him.