A26903:96
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. Qu. 1. Are you not fully convinced, that there is a God of Infinite Power, Knowledge, and Goodness, who is the perfect Governor of all the World? God forbid that any of you should be so bad, so mad, as seriously to doubt of this, which the Devils believe, while they would draw you to Unbelief. To doubt of a perfect governing God, is to wink and doubt whether there be a Sun; to stop your ears ⟨p. 66⟩against the notorious testimony of Heaven and Earth, and every Creature: You may next doubt whether there be any thing, if you doubt of God: For Atoms and Shadows are hardlier perceived with certainty, than the Earth, the Heavens, and Sun.
§ 2. Qu. 1. Are you not fully convinced, that there is a God of Infinite Power, Knowledge, and Goodness, who is the perfect Governour of all the World? God forbid that any of you should be so bad, so mad, as seriously to doubt of this, which the Devils believe, while they would draw you to Unbelief. To doubt of a perfect governing God, is to wink and doubt whether there be a Sun; to stop your ears ⟨p. 66⟩against the notorious testimony of Heaven and Earth, and every Creature: You may next doubt whether there be any thing, if you doubt of God: For Atomes and Shadows are hardlier perceived with certainty, than the Earth, the Heavens, and Sun.
Qu. 2. And if you believe that there is a Governing God, do you not believe that he hath Governing Laws or notifications of his Will? and that we owe this God more full, more absolute, exact Obedience, than can be due to any Prince on Earth? And greater love than to our dearest friend, he being infinitely good and Love it self? Can you owe more to your Flesh, or to any, than to your God, that made you men, by whom you have Life, and Health, and time, and all the good that ever you received? And can you give him too much Love and Obedience? Or can you think that you need to fear being losers by him, and that your faithful Duty should be in vain?