A26915:31
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.
Moreover, you know upon what uncertainties you hold your lives, you have no assurance of them for an hour: but you are sure that they are passing away while you delay. And will you trifle then in a work that must be done? What a case are you in, if death find you unconverted? The heart of man is not able now to conceive the misery of your case. How dare you venture to live another day in an unconverted state, least death should find you so? Are you not afraid when you lie down at night, and afraid when you go out of your doors in the morning, least death surprise you before you are converted? If you be not, it's long of your deadness and presumption.
Moreover, you know upon what uncertainties you hold your lives, you have no assurance of them for an hour: but you are sure that they are passing away while you delay. And will you trifle then in a work that must be done? What a case are you in, if death find you unconverted? The heart of man is not able now to conceive the misery of your case. How dare you venture to live another day in an unconverted state, least death should find you so? Are you not afraid when you lie down at night, and afraid when you go out of your doors in the morning, least death surprize you before you are converted? If you be not, it's long of your deadness and presumption.
And I would fain hear what it is that should thus stop you. What are you afraid of? Is God an Enemy, that you are loath to come to him? Is the devil a Friend that you are so loath to leave him? Is sin a Paradise? Is Holiness a Misery? Is it pleasanter life to love your money, or your lands, or your meat and drink, and lusts, then to ⟨p. 15⟩love the most blessed God, the Creator of the World, the life of our Souls, and our Eternal Felicity? Is it better to pamper a carcass that must shortly stink as the dung, then to provide for a living immortal soul? Whether do you think that Earth or Heaven will be the more glorious and durable felicity?
And I would fain hear what it is that should thus stop you. What are you afraid of? Is God an Enemy, that you are loath to come to him? Is the devil a Friend that you are so loath to leave him? Is sinne a Paradise? Is Holiness a Misery? Is it pleasanter life to love your money, or your lands, or your meat and drink, and lusts, then to