A26915:317
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.
Faith entereth at the Understanding, but it hath not all its essential parts, and is not the Gospel Faith indeed, till it have possessed the will. The heart of Faith is wanting, till Faith hath taken possession of the heart. For by Faith Christ dwelleth in the Heart, Ephes. 3. 17. And if he dwell not in the heart, he dwells not in the Man, in a saving sort. He had some interest in Judas, Simon Magus, Ananias, and Sapphira, as to the head, and perhaps somewhat more in a superficial sort. But Satan entered into the heart of one, and filled the heart of ⟨p. 282⟩another of them with a lie, and the heart of the third was not right in the sight of God, and therefore he had no part, or lot in Christ, but was still in the gall of bitterness, and bond of iniquity: and all because Christ was not heartily entertained, Acts 5. 3 & 8. 22, 23. It is in the heart that the word must have its rooting, or else it will wither in time of trial. It is seeking with the whole heart that is the evidence of the blessed, Psal. 119 2. And it is a feigned turning, when men turn not to God with the whole heart, Jer. 3. 10. This is Gods promise concerning his Elect; I will give them a heart, to know me, that I am the Lord, and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart, Jer. 24. 7. See then that the heart be unfeignedly delivered up to Christ: For if Christ have it not, the flesh, the world, and the Devil will have it. Your Hearts must be a dwelling for one of these Masters; choose you whether.
Faith entreth at the Understanding, but it hath not all its essential parts, and is not the Gospel Faith indeed, till it have possessed the will. The heart of Faith is wanting, till Faith hath taken possession of the heart. For by Faith Christ dwelleth in the Heart,