A26917:100
Directions for weak distempered Christians, to grow up to a confirmed state of grace…
Directions for weak distempered Christians, to grow up to a confirmed state of grace with motives opening the lamentable effects of their weaknesses and distempers / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for Nevil Simmons, 1669
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Directions 1: DIRECTIONS TO THE CONVERTED, For their establishment, growth, and perseverance.
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.
Even the odious Heresies of the Quakers themselves, and their railings, which an honest Pagan would abhor, do presently find entertainment with Professors; and let the matter or manner be never so senseless, yet is it accepted if it be but zealously put off. O who would have thought that our people that seemed godly should be so greedy of the Devils baits as to catch at any thing, yea and to devour the bare hooks! O who would have thought that so many that seemed lovers of God, would so readily believe every deceiver that speaks against him, if he can but do it with a pious pretence.
Even the odious Heresies of the Quakers themselves, and their railings, which an honest Pagan would abhor, do presently find entertainment with Professors; and let the matter or manner be never so sensless, yet is it accepted if it be but zealously put off. O who would have thought that our people that seemed godly should be so greedy of the Devils baits as to catch at any thing, yea and to devour the bare hooks! O who would have thought that so many that seemed lovers of God, would so readily believe every deceiver that speaks against him, if he can but do it with a pious pretence.
Yea if Seekers themselves do but cast in their objections, how many of our people are presently at a loss, and their Faith is muddied, and they are to seek for a Ministry, and to seek for a Church! and to seek for Ordinances, and to seek ⟨p. 54⟩for a Scripture, even for the Gospel it self; and therefore it's like they are to seek for a Christ, or to seek for a Religion, if not to seek for God, and for a Heaven.
O sad day! that ever these things should come to pass! and that we are forced to utter them, having no possibility of concealing them from the World! Were these men confirmed and stablished in the Faith? Were these men rooted and built up in Christ? Alas Sirs, if any deceivers come among us, how few of our people are able to withstand them, and defend the truth of God against them? but they are catched up by the Devils Falconers, as the poor Chickens by the Kite, except those that fly under the wings of a judicious settled Minister.