A26917:136
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.
O when the people that we should rejoice and glory in shall prove unruly, self-conceited, ⟨p. 75⟩peevish, proud, every one running his own way, falling into divisions, contentions, or scandals, this is the killing of the comforts of your Ministers: When the ungodly shall hit us in the teeth with your scandals or divisions, and say, [These are the godly people that you boasted of, see now what is become of them,] this is the smoke to our eyes, and the gall and Vinegar that's given us by the Adversary: and though still we know that our reward is with the Lord, yet can we not choose but be wounded for your sakes, and for the sake of the Cause and Name of God.
O when the people that we should rejoyce and glory in shall prove unruly, self-conceited, ⟨p. 75⟩peevish, proud, every one running his own way, falling into divisions, contentions, or scandals, this is the killing of the comforts of your Ministers: When the ungodly shall hit us in the teeth with your scandals or divisions, and say, [These are the godly people that you boasted of, see now what is become of them,] this is the smoak to our eyes, and the gall and Vinegar that's given us by the Adversary: and though still we know that our reward is with the Lord, yet can we not choose but be wounded for your sakes, and for the sake of the Cause and Name of God.
Yea the World it self expecteth more from you than others. When men talk of great matters, and profess as every Christian doth, to look for the greatest matters of eternity, and to live for no lower things, than everlasting fellowship with God and Angels, no wonder then if the World do look for extraordinary matters from you. If you tell them of reaching Heaven, they will look to see you winged like Angels, and not to creep on earth like worms. If you say that you are more than men, they look you should show it by doing more than men can do; even by denying your selves and forgiving injuries, and loving your enemies, and blessing those that curse you, and contemning this World, and having your conversation in Heaven. O Sirs, believe it, it is not small or common things that will satisfy the expectations of God or men, of Ministers, or of the World themselves, concerning you.