A26917:129
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.
1. You are nearlier related to Christ than any others are. And therefore you should be more tender of offending him, and more eminent in love and service to him. You are his household-servants; and will you not labour for him and stick to him? You are his friends; and should a friend abuse him? should not a friend be faithful? You are his dear adopted children, and his Spouse: and should not you be faithful to him to the death? Should not all the love and service that you have be his? Isa. 1.2, 3. Mal. 1.10. Gal. 5.4.
1. You are nearlyer related to Christ than any others are. And therefore you should be more tender of offending him, and more eminent in love and service to him. You are his houshold-servants; and will you not labour for him and stick to him? You are his friends; and should a friend abuse him? should not a friend be faithful? You are his dear adopted children, and his Spouse: and should not you be faithful to him to the death? Should not all the love and service that you have be his? Isa. 1.2, 3. Mal. 1.10. Gal. 5.4.
2. You have bound your selves to him by more serious frequent vows and Covenants than other men have done? How many persons and places and necessities of yours, can witness against you if you be not firm and forward for the Lord. As Joshua said to Israel, Josh. 24.27. [Behold this stone, it shall be a witness unto you, lest you deny your God.] So I may say, the places where you have kneeled, and prayed, and promised, will be witnesses against you, if you be not firm to God: the Churches that you have assembled in, the places you have walked in, in your solitary Meditations; the persons that have heard your promises and professions; the World about you that hath seen your forwardness, will all witness against you if you be not firm.