A26915:309
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.
These Promises being Conditional, we cannot be assured of our part in the benefits, but by being assured that we perform ⟨p. 269⟩the Condition. By this you may see the Nature of presumption: When men say, they believe that which never was promised; or believe that they have right to the Blessings that are promised to others, and not to them; or believe that they shall have the benefits promised, when they perform not the Conditions; all this is presuming, and not true believing. If men believe that God is reconciled to them, and will Pardon them, and Justify them, and save them, when they are unconverted, impenitent, unregenerate men; this is not indeed a believing of God, that hath never made them any such promise, nor ever told them any such matter, but the contrary: But it is a believing the false delusions of the Devil, and their own hearts. He that will claim any title to Christ, and Pardon, and Salvation, must have something to show for it; yea and something more then the most of the world have to show: For the most shall be shut out. Every man therefore that regardeth his Salvation, must seriously ask his Soul this question, What have I to show for my title to Salvation, more then the most of the world can show? It is not saying, I ⟨p. 270⟩hope to be saved, that will serve the turn' except I can give a Reason of my hopes' Thousands that lay claim to Salvation shall miss of it, because they have no title to it. And that which you must have to show is this: A Promise, or Deed of Gift on Gods part, and the fulfilling of the Condition on your part. God saith to all men, who ever Repenteth, Believeth, or is converted, shall be saved. When you have found that you Repent of all your sins, and truly believe, and are converted to God, then, and not till then, you may conclude that you shall be saved.
These Promises being Conditional, we cannot be assured of our part in the benefits, but by being assured that we perform ⟨p. 269⟩the Condition. By this you may see the Nature of presumption: When men say, they believe that which never was promised; or believe that they have right to the Blessings that are promised to others, and not to them; or believe that they shall have the benefits promised, when they perform not the Conditions; all this is presuming, and not true believing. If men believe that God is reconciled to them, and will Pardon them, and Justifie them, and save them, when they are unconverted, impenitent, unregenerate men; this is not indeed a believing of God, that hath never made them any such promise, nor ever told them any such matter, but the contrary: But it is a believing the false delusions of the Devil, and their own hearts. He that will claim any title to Christ, and Pardon, and Salvation, must have something to shew for it; yea and something more then the most of the world have to shew: For the most shall be shut out. Every man therefore that regardeth his Salvation, must seriously ask his Soul this question, What have I to shew for my title to Salvation, more then the most of the world can shew? It is not saying, I