A26915:205
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 4
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.
IV. Having thus far opened the Nature and Reasons of true Humiliation, I conclude with that advice which I principally here intended: Refuse not to be throughly and deeply humbled. Be not weary of the humbling workings of the Spirit. Grief is an unwelcome guest to Nature: but Grace can see Reason to bid it welcome. Grace is ingenious, and cannot look back on so great unkindness, with unwillingness to mourn over it, Zech. 12. 10. There is somewhat of God in godly sorrow, and therefore the Soul consenteth to it, and seeketh for it, and calls it in: Yea and is grieved that it can grieve no more. Not that sorrow as sorrow is desirable; but as a necessary Consequent of our grievous sinning, and a necessary Antecedent of our further ⟨p. 183⟩recovery: As we may submit to Death it self, with a cheerful willingness, because it is sanctified to be the passage into Glory, how dreadful soever it be to Nature in it self: so much more may we submit to Humiliation and brokenness of heart, with a holy willingness, because it is sanctified to be the entrance into the state of Grace. Consider for your satisfaction of these following things.
IV. Having thus far opened the Nature and Reasons of true Humiliation, I conclude with that advice which I principally here intended: Refuse not to be throughly and deeply humbled. Be not weary of the humbling workings of the Spirit. Grief is an unwelcome guest to Nature: but Grace can see Reason to bid it welcome. Grace is ingenious, and cannot look back on so great unkindness, with unwillingness to mourne over it, Zech. 12. 10. There is somewhat of God in godly sorrow, and therefore the Soul consenteth to it, and seeketh for it, and calls it in: Yea and is grieved that it can grieve no more. Not that sorrow as sorrow is desireable; but as a necessary Consequent of our grievous sinning, and a necessary Antecedent of our further ⟨p. 183⟩recovery: As we may submit to Death it self, with a cheerful willingness, because it is sanctified to be the passage into Glory, how dreadfull soever it be to Nature in it self: so much more may we submit to Humiliation and brokenness of heart, with a holy willingness, because it is sanctified to be the entrance into the state of Grace. Consider for your satisfaction of these following things.