A26915:304
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 5
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. The Proper or Special Mercies are of two sorts. 1. Some are Physical inherent qualities, or performed acts: 2. And some are adherent Rights, or Relations.
Of the former inherent sort, there are these three Degrees: 1. There is the first special work of Vocation, Conversion, or Regeneration, causing the sinner to Repent, and Believe, and giving him the Principle of Spiritual Life. 2. There is the bestowing of the In-dwelling ⟨p. 265⟩Spirit of God, and progressive Sanctification of heart, and life, and perseverance with Victory. 3. There is the perfecting of all this, in our Glorious Perfection in the life to come.
Of the former inherent sort, there are these three Degees: 1. There is the first special work of Vocation, Conversion, or Regeneration, causing the sinner to Repent, and Believe, and giving him the Principle of Spiritual Life. 2. There is the bestowing of the In-dwelling ⟨p. 265⟩Spirit of God, and progressive Santification of heart, and life, and perseverance with Victory. 3. There is the perfecting of all this, in our Glorious Perfection in the life to come.
For the first of these, God hath not promised it Conditionally, or Absolutely to any individual person that hath it not. He hath bound all to Repent, and Believe, but hath not promised to make them do it: (only he hath revealed, that there are certain persons, so given to Christ, as that they shall be infallibly drawn to believe.) But he hath appointed certain means for the ungodly, which they are bound to use, in order to their Conversion; and if they will not use them, they are without excuse. If they will, they have very much encouragement from God: Both 1. In the Nature of the means, which are fitted to their ends, and are mighty to bring down, all oppositions; and 2. In the Commands, and Institution of God; whose Wisdom and Goodness may easily resolve us, that he will not appoint us means in vain, nor set his Creatures on fruitless labours: And 3. Also from the Issue: for no man can stand forth and say, such a one did