A26917:374
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.
XXIV. 1. A confirmed Christian doth ordinarily discern the sincerity of his own heart, and consequently hath some well grounded assurance of the pardon of his sins, and of the favour of God, and of his everlasting happiness: And therefore no wonder if he live a peaceable and joyful life. For his grace is not so small as to be ⟨p. 67⟩undiscernible, nor is it as a sleepy buried seed or principle; but it is almost in continual act: And they that have a great degree of grace, and also keep it in lively exercise, do seldom doubt of it. Besides that they blot not their Evidence by so many infirmities and falls: They are more in the light, and have more acquaintance with themselves, and more sense of the abundant love of God, and of his exceeding mercies, than weak Christians have: and therefore must needs have more assurance. They have boldness of access to the throne of grace, without unreverent contempt: Eph. 3.12. & 2.18. They have more of the spirit of Adoption, and therefore more childlike confidence in God, and can call him Father with greater freedom and comfort than any others can. Rom. 8.15, 16. Gal. 4.6. Eph. 1.6. 1 Joh. 5.19, 20. [And we know that we are of God, and that the whole world lieth in wickedness: &c.
XXIV. 1. A confirmed Christian doth ordinarily discern the sincerity of his own heart, and consequently hath some well grounded assurance of the pardon of his sins, and of the favour of God, and of his everlasting happiness: And therefore no wonder if he live a peaceable and joyfull life. For his grace is not so small as to be ⟨p. 67⟩undiscernable, nor is it as a sleepy buried seed or principle; but it is almost in continual act: And they that have a great degree of grace, and also keep it in lively exercise, do seldom doubt of it. Besides that they blot not their Evidence by so many infirmities and falls: They are more in the light, and have more acquaintance with themselves, and more sense of the abundant love of God, and of his exceeding mercies, than weak Christians have: and therefore must needs have more assurance. They have boldness of access to the throne of grace, without unreverent contempt: