A26917:349
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. And the weak Christian is of the same mind in the main. He valueth mercies and helps for his soul, above those for his body: But it is with less zeal, and more indifferency; and therefore is more easily and oftener drawn to the omitting of spiritual duties, and neglect of spiritual helps and mercies: and goeth to them with more averness, and as driven by necessity: and is much less sensible of his loss, when he misseth of any such spiritual helps. Luk. 10.41, 42. Heb. 10.25. Act. 2.42. & 4.32.
2. And the weak Christian is of the same mind in the main. He valueth mercies and helps for his soul, above those for his body: But it is with less zeal, and more indifferency; and therefore is more easily and ofter drawn to the omitting of spiritual duties, and neglect of spiritual helps and mercies: and goeth to them with more averness, and as driven by necessity: and is much less sensible of his loss, when he misseth of any such spiritual helps. Luk. 10.41, 42. Heb. 10.25. Act. 2.42. & 4.32.
3. But the seeming Christian being a real worldling, doth serve God and Mammon; and Mammon ⟨p. 47⟩with the first and best: He had rather miss a Sermon, than a good bargain or commodity: he had rather dwell where he may thrive best, or have most ease and pleasure, than where he may find the greatest helps for heaven: he will be Religious, but it must be with an easy and a pleasant and merry Religion; which may not be too niggardly with his flesh, nor use it too strictly: unless when one days austerity may procure him an indulgence for his liberty all the week following. He will make his bargain with Christ so, as to be sure that he may not lose by him: And he will not believe that God is pleased with that which is much displeasing to his flesh.