A26917:326
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.
XI. 1. Hence it followeth that a Christian indeed ⟨p. 28⟩doth heartily love the searching light, that it may fully acquaint him with his sins: He is truly desirous to know the worst of himself: And therefore useth the word of God, as a candle to show him what is in his heart; and bringeth himself willingly into the light: He loveth the most searching Books and Preachers: not only because they disclose the faults of other men, but his own: he is not one that so loveth his pleasant and profitable sins, as to fly the light, lest he should be forced to know them, and so to forsake them: But because he hateth them, and is resolved to forsake them, therefore he would know them. Joh. 3.19, 20, 21. Therefore he is not only patient under Reproofs, but loveth them, and is thankful to a charitable reprover; and maketh a good use even of malicious and passionate reproofs. Psal. 141.5. 2 Sam. 16.11. He saith as in Job 34.32. That which I see not, teach thou me. If I have done iniquity, I will do no more. His hatred of the sin, and desire to be reformed, suffer not his heart by pride to rise up against the remedy, and reject reproof. Though he will not falsely confess his duty to be his sin, nor take the judgement of every selfish, passionate or ignorant reprover to be infallible, nor to be his rule; yet if a judicious impartial person do but suspect him of a fault, he is ready to suspect himself of it, unless he be certain that he is clear. He loveth him better that would save him from his sin, than him that would entice him to it: and taketh him for his best friend who dealeth freely with him, and is the greatest enemy to his faults: And a flatterer he taketh but for the most dangerous insinuating kind of foe.
XI. 1. Hence it followeth that a Christian indeed ⟨p. 28⟩doth heartily love the searching light, that it may fully acquaint him with his sins: He is truly desirous to know the worst of himself: And therefore useth the word of God, as a candle to shew him what is in his heart; and bringeth himself willingly into the light: He loveth the most searching Books and Preachers: not only because they disclose the faults of other men, but his own: he is not one that so loveth his pleasant and profitable sins, as to fly the light, lest he should be forced to know them, and so to forsake them: But because he hateth them, and is resolved to forsake them, therefore he would know them.