A26915:564
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.
5. Moreover, the rooted Interest of this world, doth much hinder men from Resolving to turn: It's always drawing them another way, or putting objections and eavils into their minds; and if they will needs Resolve, it is this that secretly enticeth them to reserves, and to resign themselves to God but with conditions and exceptions; and so makes them Hypocrites when they think themselves Converts; and cheats them with a half deceitful Resolution, instead of one that is absolute and firm. Against this impediment also I have spoken before.
5. Moreover, the rooted Interest of this world, doth much hinder men from Resolving to turn: It's alwaies drawing them another way, or putting objections and eavils into their minds; and if they will needs Resolve, it is this that secretly enticeth them to reserves, and to resign themselves to God but with conditions and exceptions; and so makes them Hypocrites when they think themselves Converts; and cheats them with a halfe deceitfull Resolution, instead of one that is absolute and firm. Against this impediment also I have spoken before.
6. Another hinderance is, The nearness of fleshly enticing objects. When the Covetous man seeth his houses and lands, his goods and money, the very sight of them breaks the heart of all his better Resolutions. The drunkard seems to be Resolved till he sees the cup, and then his Resolution is broken. The Whoremonger seemeth to be Resolved, till the bait is brought near him, and then he goes as an Ox to the slaughter, and as a fool to the correction of the stocks. Certainly if these Resolutions were sound, they would either cause men to fly from the bait, and not come near it, or else to ⟨p. 509⟩refuse it when it is presented them: In the course of their lives their Resolutions would govern them, if they were sincere.
6. Another hinderance is, The neerness of fleshly enticing objects. When the Covetous man seeth his houses and lands, his goods and money, the very sight of them breaks the heart of all his better Resolutions. The drunkard seems to be Resolved till he sees the cup, and then his Resolution is broken. The Whoremonger seemeth to be Resolved, till the bait is brought neer him, and then he goes as an Oxe to the slaughter, and as a fool to the correction of the stocks. Certainly if these Resolutions were sound, they would either cause men to fly from the bait, and not come neere it, or else to