A26915:326
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. Understand and note, that as you shall not have his great Benefits before, or without his Person, so God hath resolved, that you shall not have his Special Benefits, unless you will take them all together. (I speak of men at age, that are capable of all.) You shall not have Pardon, and Justification, or Glory, without Sanctification; nor the Comforts of Christ, without the guidance, and government of Christ. You must have all, or none.
3. From hence it follows, that therefore you must Receive, and close with Christ Entirely, in his whole Office, as he is to accomplish all these works, or ⟨p. 288⟩else you cannot be United to him. He will not be divided: You shall not have Christ as a Justifier of yon, if you will not have him as a Guide, and Ruler, and Sanctifier of you. He will not be a partial Saviour: If you will not consent that he shall save you from your sins, he will not consent to save you from Hell.
3. From hence it follows, that therefore you must Receive, and close with Christ Entirely, in his whole Office, as he is to accomplish all these works, or ⟨p. 288⟩else you cannot be United to him. He will not be divided: You shall not have Christ as a Justifier of yon, if you will not have him as a Guid, and Ruler, and Sanctifier of you. He will not be a partial Saviour: If you will not consent that he shall save you from your sinnes, he will not consent to save you from Hell.
4. Understand, and note that Christ will look to his Fathers Interest, and Honour, and his own, as well as to your Salvation; yea and before it. And therefore you must not hope for any Mercy from him, in any way that is dishonourable to him, or that is inconsistent with his own blessed Ends, and Interest. And therefore do not look for any such Grace from him, as shall discharge you from your duty, or give you liberty to dishonour, or disobey him: Nor do not think that you shall have him Related to you only for your own ends, but on terms of highest honour to God, and you Redeemer. And do not think that your Grace is ever the less free, because Gods Honour is thus preferred: For if you are Christians indeed, you will take Gods Interest, as your own highest Interest, and will confess, that you could not have