A26903:335
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
Chapter 12: Counsel to the Sons of the Nobility and Magistrates.
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.
III. Another of your Temptations will be Pride, and overvaluing of your selves, because of wealth and worldly honour. But this is so foolish a sin and against such notorious humbling evidence, that as it is the Devils Image, it is natures shame. Is not your flesh as corruptible as a Beggars. Do you not think what is within that skin? And how a Leprosy, or the Small Pox, would make you look, and how you must shortly leave all your glory, and your bodies become unpleasant spectacles? Do you not think what it is to lye rotting in a Grave and turn to Earth? And do you not know how much more loathsome a thing all the Vice and Unholiness of your Souls is; And what it is to have to do with a Holy God, and to be near to judgment and an endless State. He is mad in sin that such considerations will not humble.
III. Another of your Temptations will be Pride, and overvaluing of your selves, because of wealth and worldly honour. But this is so foolish a sin and against such notorious humbling evidence, that as it is the Devils Image, it is natures shame. Is not your flesh as corruptible as a Beggars. Do you not think what is within that skin? And how a Leprosie, or the Small Pox, would make you look, and how you must shortly leave all your glory, and your bodies become unpleasant spectacles? Do you not think what it is to lye rotting in a Grave and turn to Earth? And do you not know how much more loathsome a thing all the Vice and Unholiness of your Souls is; And what it is to have to do with a Holy God, and to be near to judgment and an endless State. He is mad in sin that such considerations will not humble.
IV. Another of your dangers is from flatterers, that will be pleasing and praising you, but never tell you of that which should humble you and awake you, to the sense of your ⟨p. 172⟩Everlasting concerns. But none here are so dangerous as a Flattering Clergy, who being themselves carnal worldlings would serve that flesh which is their Master, by your Favour and Beneficence. Ahab had such Prophets that said go and prosper; in whose mouths the Devil was a lying Spirit. How many sincere men have been undone by such.