A26917:305
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.
THE CHARACTER OF 1 A Sound Confirmed Christian, 2 And of the Weak C… › The Characters.
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.
2. This same Spirit and holy inclination is in the weakest Christian also, but in a small degree, and remissly operating, so as that the fleshly inclination oft seemeth to be the stronger, when he judgeth by its passionate strugglings within him: Though indeed the Spirit of life doth not only strive, but conquer in the main, even in the weakest Christians, Rom. 8, 9. Gal. 5.17, 18, 19, 20, 21.
2. This same Spirit and holy inclination is in the weakest Christian also, but in a small degree, and remisly operating, so as that the fleshly inclination oft seemeth to be the stronger, when he judgeth by its passionate struglings within him: Though indeed the Spirit of life doth not only strive, but conquer in the main, even in the weakest Christians, Rom. 8, 9. Gal. 5.17, 18, 19, 20, 21.
3. The seeming Christian hath only the uneffectual motions of the Spirit to a Holy Life, and effectual motions, and inward dispositions to some common duties of Religion: And from these with the natural principles of self-love and common honesty, with the outward persuasions of company and advantages, his Religion is maintained, without the Regeneration of the Spirit, Joh. 3.6.
3. The seeming Christian hath only the uneffectual motions of the Spirit to a Holy Life, and effectual motions, and inward dispositions to some common duties of Religion: And from these with the natural principles of self-love and common honesty, with the outward perswasions of company and advantages, his Religion is maintained, without the Regeneration of the Spirit,