A26915:95
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 3
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.
1. Quest. What if it were but the case of my body, or state, or name, should I not earnestly consider of it? If one do but wrong me, how easily can I think of it, and how tenderly do I feel it; and can scarce forget it: If my good name be blemished, and I be but disgraced, I can think of it night and day: If I lose but a beast, or have any Cross in the world, or decay in my Estate, I can think of it with sensibility: If I lose a child or a friend, I can feel it as well as think on it. If my health be decayed, and my Life in danger, I am in good earnest in thinking of this. And should I not be as serious, in the Matters of Everlasting Life? Should I not think of it, and soberly, and earnestly think on it, when body and Soul do lie at the stake, and when it concerneth my everlasting Joy or Torment?
2. Quest. What if I had but heard the Son of God himself calling on me to Repent, and be Converted, and seconding his Commands with those earnest expression, (He that hath an ear to hear let him hear) would it not have brought me to some serious Thoughts of my state? Why this he hath done in his Word, and doth it by his Ambassadors, and why then should I not consider it?
2. Quest. What if I had but heard the Sonne of God himself calling on me to Repent, and be Converted, and seconding his Commands with those earnest expression, (He that hath an eare to hear let him hear) would it not have brought me to som serious Thoughts of my state? Why this he hath done in his Word, and doth it by his Embassadors, and why then should I not consider it?
3. Quest. If I did but know that death were at my back, and ready to arrest me, and that I should be in another world before this day sevennight, I should then begin to bethink me in good sadness: And why do I not so now, when I have no hold of my life an hour, and when I am sure that shortly that time will come?