A26915:440
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 11
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.
12. You have such times of advantage and encouragement as few ages of the world have ever seen, and few Nations on Earth do enjoy at this day. What plain and plentiful teaching have you? What abundance of good examples; and the society of the godly; private and public helps are common. Godliness is under as little suffering as ever you can expect to see it: yea, it is grown into reputation among us; so that it is an honour to serve God, and a dishonour to neglect it (as well it may) Our Rulers ⟨p. 395⟩countenance the Practises of Godliness: they proclaim themselves the forward Professors and Patrons of it, and take this as their Glory. And this is not ordinary in the world. Seldom hath the Church seen such days on Earth. And yet is not the way to Heaven fair enough for you? Yet are you not ready to turn to God? When should men make Hay but when the Sun shines? Will you delay till this Harvest time be over, and the Winter of persecution come again? Can you better turn to God, when a godly life is the common scorn of the Country, as it was a while ago? and when every one will be deriding and railing at you? Or when it may possibly cost you your lives? Have you Sun, and wind, and tide to serve you, and will you stay to set out in storms and darkness.
12. You have such times of advantage and encouragement as few ages of the world have ever seen, and few Nations on Earth do enjoy at this day. What plain and plentifull teaching have you? What abundance of good examples; and the society of the godly; private and publique helpes are common. Godliness is under as little suffering as ever you can expect to see it: yea, it is grown into repu•ation among us; so that it is an honour to serve God, and a dishonour to neglect it (as well it may) Our Rulers ⟨p. 395⟩countenance the Practises of Godliness: they proclaim themselves the forward Professors and Patrons of it, and take this as their Glory. And this is not ordinary in the world. Seldome hath the Church seen such daies on Earth. And yet is not the way to Heaven fair enough for you? Yet are you not ready to turn to God? When should men make Hay but when the Sun shines? Will you delay till this Harvest time be over, and the Winter of persecution come again? Can you better turn to God, when a godly life is the common scorn of the Countrey, as it was a while agoe? and when every one will be deriding and railing at you? Or when it may possibly cost you your lives? Have you Sun, and winde, and tide to serve you, and will you stay to set out in stormes and darkness.