A26915:469
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.
30. Nay consider, whether God or you be likelier to know the meetest time. Dare you say that you know better when to turn, then God doth. I suppose you dare not: And if you dare not say so; for shame let not your practice say so God saith, To day, while it is called to day, hear my voice, and harden not your hearts. And dare you say, It's better stay one month longer, or one day longer, God saith, Behold this is the accepted time▪ behold this is the day of Salvation, ⟨p. 420⟩2 Cor. 6. 2. And will you say, It's time enough to morrow? Do you know better then God? If your Physician do but tell you in a pleurisy, or a fever, you must let blood this day before to morrow; you will have so much reason as to submit to his understanding, and think that he knows better then you: And cannot you allow as much to the God of Wisdom?
30. Nay consider, whether God or you be likelier to know the meetest time. Dare you say that you know better when to turn, then God doth. I suppose you dare not: And if you dare not say so; for shame let not your practice say so God saith, To day, while it is called to day, hear my voice, and harden not your hearts. And dare you say, It's better stay one moneth longer, or one day longer, God saith, Behold this is the accepted time▪ behold this is the day of Salvation, ⟨p. 420⟩2 Cor. 6. 2. And will you say, It's time enough to morrow? Do you know better then God? If your Physician do but tell you in a plurisie, or a feaver, you must let blood this day before to morrow; you will have so much reason as to submit to his understanding, and think that he knows better then you: And cannot you allow as much to the God of Wisdom?
40. Consider also, that the speediness of your Conversion when God first calls you, doth make you the more welcome, and is a thing exceeding pleasing to God. Our Proverb is, A speedy gift is a double gift: If you ask any thing of a friend, and he give it you presently, and cheerfully at the first asking, you will think you have it with a good will: but if he stand long delaying first and demurring upon it, you will think you have it with an ill will, and that you owe him the smaller thanks. If a very beggar at your door must stay long for an alms, he will think he is the less beholden to you. How much more may God be displeased, when he must stay so long for his own, and that for your benefit? God loveth a cheerful giver; and consequently a cheerful