A26915:362
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 8
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.
DIRECT. VIII. My next Advice that the Work of Conversion may not miscarry, is this: Take heed, lest you mistake a mere change of your Opinions, and outward profession, and behaviour, for a true Saving change.
DIRECT. VIII. My next Advice that the Work of Conversion may not miscarry, is this: Take heed, lest you mistake a meer change of your Opinions, and outward profession, and behaviour, for a true Saving change.
Wicked Opinions must be changed, and so must evil professions, and outward practices: But if no more be changed, you are wicked still. I have great ⟨p. 325⟩cause to fear that this is the most common damning deceit, that useth to befall professors of Godliness, and that it's the case of most Hypocrites, in the Church. A man may be brought to hold any Truth in Scripture as an Opinion; and so far be sound, and Orthodox; and yet never be indeed a sound Believer, nor have his Heart possessed with the life and power of those Sacred Truths. It's one thing to have a mans Opinion changed, and another thing to have his Heart renewed, by the change of his Practical Estimation, Resolutions, and Dispositions. It's one thing to turn from loose profane Opinions, to strict Opinions; and to think the Godly are indeed in the right, and that their case and way is safest, and best: and it's another thing to be made One of them in Newness, and Spirituality of heart, and life. A lively Faith differs much from Opinion; and that which is in unsanctified men, which we call Faith, and is a kind of Faith indeed, it is but a mere Opinionative Faith: I call it an Opinionative Faith, because it differs from Saving Faith, much like as Opinion doth from Knowledge. Merely speculative it is not: for some intention ⟨p. 326⟩of practice there is: But the Practical Intention of such persons, differs from the Predominant Intentions of the Sanctified, even as their Opiniative Faith differs from the Saving Faith.