A26903:323
Compassionate counsel to all young men especially I. London apprentices, II. students of divinity,…
Compassionate counsel to all young men especially I. London apprentices, II. students of divinity, physic, and law, III. the sons of magistrates and rich men / by Richard Baxter.Compassionate counsel to all young men especially I. London apprentices, II. students of divinity, physick, and law, III. the sons of magistrates and rich men / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by T.S., 1681
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.
2. Those that being themselves deceived would deceive you, against Religion and your Salvation. Its too well known that such persons in London are not rare, though the danger by them is not known enough. Even those that are so unchristian and inhumane, as to prate against the Christian Faith, the Truth, the Authority or sufficiency of the Sacred Scripture, the Life to come, the Souls immortality, if not also against the Government and Providence of God, will yet talk as confidently, as if they were in their wits, yea and were the greatest wits among us. For my part I could never yet get one man of them soberly to join with me in a fair disquisition of the Truth, and follow it on till we came to see the just conclusion: Commonly they will fly from me, and refuse disputes, or turn all to some rambling rant or jest, or when they are stated, be gone and go no further, and come no more.
2. Those that being themselves deceived would deceive you, against Religion and your Salvation. Its too well known that such persons in London are not rare, though the danger by them is not known enough. Even those that are so unchristian and inhumane, as to prate against the Christian Faith, the Truth, the Authority or sufficiency of the Sacred Scripture, the Life to come, the Souls immortality, if not also against the Government and Providence of God, will yet talk as confidently, as if they were in their wits, yea and were the greatest wits among us. For my part I could never yet get one man of them soberly to joyn with me in a fair disquisition of the Truth, and follow it on till we came to see the just conclusion: Commonly they will fly from me, and refuse disputes, or turn all to some rambling rant or jest, or when they are stated, be gone and go no further, and come no more.
Young unfurnished heads are unfit to dispute with the Devil or any such Messengers of his. A Pest house is not more dangerous ⟨p. 167⟩to you. But if they have perplexed you, desire some well studied Minister of Christ, either to meet them, or to resolve your doubts. And if you will read what I have written on that subject, you may find enough to resolve, if it be justly received, viz. 1. In my Reasons for the Christian Religion. 2. In my Unreasonableness of Infidelity. 3. In my Life of Faith. 4. In More Reasons for the Christian Religion.