A26915:570
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.
Having told you the Hinderances, and what to do against them, I shall add but these two words more of Direction. 1. When you are Resolving, give up your selves to God with a Holy Covenant or Vow. I mean not any rash vow, nor any unnecessary vow; but the same that you made in Baptism, which your age it self doth call you to renew, but your sins against it do call you more.
Having told you the Hinderances, and what to do against them, I shall add but these two words more of Direction. 1. When you are Resolving, give up your selves to God with a Holy Covenant or Vow. I mean not any rash vow, nor any unnecessary vow; but the same that you made in Baptism, which your age it self doth call you to renew, but your sinnes against it do call you more.
Perhaps you'll say, that you are not able to perform it by your own strength, and you are uncertain of Gods assistance, and therefore how can you promise or vow?
Perhaps you'l say, that you are not able to perform it by your own strength, and you are uncertain of Gods assistance, and therefore how can you promise or vow?
To this I answer: 1. You may be sure that this Objection is frivolous, because ⟨p. 514⟩it makes against the frequent, express Commands of God, the practice of his Church in all ages, and the nature of Christianity it self: God hath in all Ages been pleased to receive men into his service and Church in a Covenant way; and Baptism it self is our solemn Covenanting with him: and the Lords Supper is appointed for a solemn renewing of it. And indeed it is implicitly and virtually renewed by a true Christian every day of his life. In every duty he gives up himself to God: And if he should cease this Heart-covenant, he would cease to be a Christian: For the very essence of his Christianity consisteth in it. It is his Faith it self.