A26915:29
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
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.
Yea, the very resistance of the Spirit doth harden the heart, and the delays and triflings of the soul, do bring it to an insensibility, and boldness in sin, and drive away the fear of God from the heart. Now it may be you are somewhat awakened, and begin to see that you must turn or die: but if you trifle and delay, this light may be gone, and leave you in greater darkness then before: and the voice that now awakeneth you may be silent, and leave you to fall asleep again.
Yea, the very resistance of the Spirit doth harden the heart, and the delayes and triflings of the soul, do bring it to an insensibility, and boldness in sinne, and drive away the fear of God from the heart. Now it may be you are somewhat awakened, and begin to see that you must turn or die: but if you trifle and delay, this light may be gone, and leave you in greater darkness then before: and the voice that now awakeneth you may be silent, and leave you to fall asleep again.
Moreover, you know that you are uncertain of the continuance of the Gospel. You know not whether you shall have ⟨p. 12⟩such lively serious Preachers, as you have now: Nor you know not whether you shall have such godly neighbours, and company to encourage you, and help you in the work. God will remove them one after another to himself, and then you will have fewer Prayers for you, and fewer warnings, and good examples, and perhaps be left wholly to the company of deceived ungodly fools, that will do nothing but hinder and discourage you from Conversion. And you are not sure that Religion will continue in that reputation, as now it is in. The Times may turn, before you turn: and godliness may become a scorn again, and it may be a matter of suffering, and may cost you your lives to live as the servants of Christ must do. And therefore if you stop at it now as a difficult thing, when you have all the helps and encouragements that you can expect, and the way to Heaven is made so fair; and when Magistrates, and Ministers, and Neighbours, are ready to encourage and help you; what will you do in times of persecutions and discouragement? If you cannot turn when you have all these helps and means, what will