A26917:113
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.
How worldly, and close handed and eager of gain, are many that say they despise the World, and take it for their enemy? If any duty be cross to their profit or credit with men, how obstinate are they against it? and such interest hath the flesh in them, that they will hardly believe that it is their duty.
How censorious are they of others, especially that differ from them in lesser things? and how unapt to judg themselves? O how few are the Christians that are eminent in humility, meekness and self-denial, that are content to be accounted nothing, so that Christ may be all, and his honour may be secured! that live as men devoted to God, and honour him with their substance, and freely expend, yea study for advantages, to improve all their riches and interest to his service! How few are they that live as in heaven upon earth, with the World under their ⟨p. 60⟩feet, and their hearts above with God their happiness! that feel themselves to live in the workings and warmth of love to God, and make him their delight, and are content with his approbation whoever disapproveth them! that are still groaning or reaching and seeking after him, and long to be with him, to be rid of sin, and see his blessed face, and live in his perfect love and praises? that love and long for the appearance of Jesus Christ, and can heartily say, Come Lord Jesus, come quickly. How few are they that stand in a day of trial? If they are tried but with a foul word, if tried but with any thing that toucheth their commodity; if tried but with the emptyest reasonings of deceivers, much more if they be••yed with the honours and greatness of the World, how few of them stand in trial, and do not fall and forget themselves, as if they were not the men that they seemed to be before! What then would they prove if they were tried by the flames?
How censorious are they of others, especially that differ from them in lesser things? and how unapt to judg themselves? O how few are the Christians that are eminent in humility, meekness and self-denyal, that are content to be accounted nothing, so that Christ may be all, and his honour may be secured! that live as men devoted to God, and honour him with their substance, and freely expend, yea study for advantages, to improve all their riches and interest to his service! How few are they that live as in heaven upon earth, with the World under their