A26915:101
Directions and persuasions to a sound conversion for prevention of that deceit and damnation…Directions and perswasions to a sound conversion for prevention of that deceit and damnation…
Directions and persuasions to a sound conversion for prevention of that deceit and damnation of souls, and of those scandals, heresies, and desperate apostasies that are the consequents of a counterfeit, or superficial change / by Richard Baxter.Directions and perswasions to a sound conversion for prevention of that deceit and damnation of souls, and of those scandals, heresies, and desperate apostasies that are the consequents of a counterfeit, or superficial change / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by A.M. for Nevil Simmons, 1658
Directions to Sinners that are purposed to Turn, and are under the… › Direction 3
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.
By this time you may see of what necessity this duty of Consideration is, and how it must be performed, that it may further your Conversion: But because it is a matter of so great Necessity, I am loath to leave it thus, till I have done what I can to persuade you to the practice of it. To which end I entreat you to think of these following Motives.
By this time you may see of what necessity this duty of Consideration is, and how it must be performed, that it may further your Conversion: But because it is a matter of so great Necessity, I am loath to leave it thus, till I have done what I can to perswade you to the practice of it. To which end I intreate you to think of these following Motives.
1. Consideration is a duty that you may perform if you will. You cannot ⟨p. 87⟩say that it is wholly out of your power; So that you are left unexcusable, if you will not be persuaded to it. You say, you cannot Convert your selves: But cannot you set your selves to Consider of your ways, and bethink you of those Truths that must be the Instruments of your Conversion? Your Thoughts are partly at the command of your will: You can turn them up and down from one thing to another. Even an unsanctified Minister that hath no saving relish of Spiritual things, can think of them, and spend most of his time in thinking of them, that he may preach them to others: And why cannot you then turn your thoughts to them for your selves? You can think of House, and Land, and Friends, and Trading, and of any thing that aileth you, or any thing that you want, or any thing that you love, or think would do you good; And why cannot you think, of your sin, and danger, of God, and of his Word and Works, of the state of your Souls, and of Everlasting Life? Are you not able to go sometimes by your selves, and Consider of these matters? Are you not able when you are alone in your beds, or ⟨p. 88⟩as you travail in the way, or at your labour, to bethink you how things stand with your Souls? Why are you not able? what is it that could hinder you, if you were but willing.