A26917:315
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. The weak Christian is taken up but very ⟨p. 21⟩little, with the lively exercises of Love and Praise; nor with any Studies higher than his own distempered heart: The care of his poor soul, and the complaining of his manifold infirmities, and corruptions, is the most of his Religion: And if he set himself to the Praising of God or to Thanksgiving, he is as dull and short in it as if it were not his proper work. Psal. 77. Mar. 9.24. & 16.14.
3. The seeming Christian liveth to the flesh; and carnal self-love is the active principle of his life: and he is neither exercised in Humiliation or in Praise sincerely; being unacquainted both with holy Joy and Sorrow; But knowing that he is in the hands of God, to prosper or destroy him, he will humble himself to him to escape his judgements, and praise him with some gladness for the sunshine of prosperity; and he will seem to be piously thanking God when he is but rejoicing in the accommodations of his flesh, or strengthening his presumption and false hopes of heaven. Luke 18.11. & 12.19. Isa. 58.2.
3. The seeming Christian liveth to the flesh; and carnal self-love is the active principle of his life: and he is neither exercised in Humiliation or in Praise sincerely; being unacquainted both with holy Joy and Sorrow; But knowing that he is in the hands of God, to prosper or destroy him, he will humble himself to him to escape his judgements, and praise him with some gladness for the sunshine of prosperity; and he will seem to be piously thanking God when he is but rejoycing in the accommodations of his flesh, or strengthning his presumption and false hopes of heaven.