A26917:435
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.
XLI. 1. A Christian indeed is one whose very heart is set upon doing good: As one that is made to be profitable to others, according to his ability and place; even as the Sun is made to shine upon the world: he could not be content to live idly, or to labour unprofitably, or to get never so much to himself, and live in never so much plenty himself, unless he some way contribute to the good of others: Not that he grudgeth at the smallness of his talents, and lowness or obscurity of his place; for he knoweth that God may dispose his creatures and talents as he please; and that where much is given, much is required, Mat. 25. Luk. 12.48. & 19.23. But what his Lord hath entrusted him with, he is loth to hide, and willing to improve to his Masters use. He is so far from thinking that God is beholden to him for his good works, that he taketh it for one of his greatest mercies in the world, that God will use him in doing any good. And he would take it for a very great suffering to be deprived of such opportunities, or turned out of service, or called to less of that kind of duty. If he were a Physician and denied liberty to practice, or a minister and ⟨p. 102⟩denied liberty to preach, it would far more trouble him that he is hindered from doing good, than that he is deprived of any profits, or honours, to himself. He doth not only comfort himself with the foresight of the reward, but in the very doing of good he findeth so much pleasure, as makeeth him think it the delightfullest life in the world: And he looketh for most of his receivings from God, in a way of duty, Joh. 5.29. Gal. 6.10. Heb. 13.16. 1 Pet. 3.11.
XLI. 1. A Christian indeed is one whose very heart is set upon doing good: As one that is made to be profitable to others, according to his ability and place; even as the Sun is made to shine upon the world: he could not be content to live idly, or to labour unprofitably, or to get never so much to himself, and live in never so much plenty himself, unless he some way contribute to the good of others: Not that he grudgeth at the smallness of his talents, and lowness or obscurity of his place; for he knoweth that God may dispose his creatures and talents as he please; and that where much is given, much is required,