A26915:390
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.
To return now to my Advice, and Exhortation, I entreat every person, that readeth, or heareth these words, to see that they stick not in an Opinionative Conversion. To which End I further desire you 1. To consider that it is a higher matter, that Christ came into the world for, then to change mens bare Opinions; and it is a higher matter that the Gospel is intended for, and that Ministers are sent to you for: For it is more then a corruption of mens Opinions, that sin hath brought upon you; and therefore it is a deeper disease that must be cured. The Work of Christ by his Gospel, is no less, then to fetch you off all that which flesh and blood accounts your Happiness, and to unite you to himself, and make you Holy, as God is Holy, and to give you a new Nature, and make you as the dwellers, or Citizens of Heaven, while you walk on Earth, Phil. 3. 20, 21. And these are greater matters then the changing of a Party, or Opinion. ⟨p. 348⟩The Holy Ghost himself must dwell in you, and work in you, and employ your Soul, and life for God, that you may study him, and love him, and live to him here, and live with him for ever. Do but think well of the Ends, and meaning of the Gospel, and how much greater matters it drives at, and then you will see that there's no taking up with an Opinionative Religiousness.
To return now to my Advice, and Exhortation, I intreat every person, that readeth, or heareth these words, to see that they stick not in an Opinionative Conversion. To which End I further desire you 1. To consider that it is a higher matter, that Christ came into the world for, then to change mens bare Opinions; and it is a higher matter that the Gospel is intended for, and that Ministers are sent to you for: For it is more then a corruption of mens Opinions, that siane hath brought upon you; and therefore it is a deeper disease that must be cured. The Work of Christ by his Gospel, is no less, then to fetch you off all that which flesh and blood accounts your Happiness, and to unite you to himself, and make you Holy, as God is Holy, and to give you a new Nature, and make you as the dwellers, or Citizens of Heaven, while you walk on Earth, Phil. 3. 20, 21. And these are greater matters then the changing of a Party, or Opinion. ⟨p. 348⟩