A26915:491
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 12
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.
In opening this Definition, I shall first show you how we are led up to Resolution by Deliberation: and 2. What is this Determination of the will.
In opening this Definition, I shall first shew you how we are led up to Resolution by Deliberation: and 2. What is this Determination of the will.
There are several steps, by which the will doth rise up to Resolution, which I shall set before you. And first it is presupposed ⟨p. 442⟩that in the state of corrupted Nature, the Soul is unresolved for God, if not (in many that are exceeding wicked) Resolved against him. At first the sinner doth either Resolve to be as he is, or else he hath no Resolution to Return. But God breaks many a wicked Resolution, or else woe to the ungodly; for there were no hope. Many wicked wretches, have not only neglected their Souls; but also Resolved that they would never lead a Holy life, nor never join themselves to the Communion of Saints, nor never leave their drunken company, or be so precise, and make so great a matter of sin, as the Godly do▪ When we urge them with the plainest Words of God, and the most unquestionable Reasons, so that they have not a word of sense to speak against it. When we have told them of the Command of God, and told them of the certain danger of their Souls, they will plainly tell us that they are Resolved never to be so precise: When they have nothing else to say, but nonsense, they will put us off with this, that they are Resolved to venture their Souls without so much ado. But as Resolute as they are, God will break and change ⟨p. 443⟩their Resolution, and make them as much Resolved of the clean contrary, if ever he will save them. For woe to them that ever they were born, if he should take them at their word, and Resolve as they Resolve!
There are several steps, by which the will doth rise up to Resolution, which I shall set before you. And first it is presupposed