A26917:453
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.
3. The seeming Christian in his labour is ruled chiefly by his flesh: If he be rich, and it incline him most to sloth, he maketh small conscience of living in idleness, under the pretence of his Gentility or wealth: But if the flesh incline him more to Covetousness, he will be laborious enough; but it shall not be to please God by obedience, but to increase his Estate, and enrich himself and his Posterity (whatever better reason he pretend.)
XLVII. 1. A Christian indeed is exactly conscionable in the duties of his relation to others in the family and place of his abode: If he be a husband, he is loving and patient and faithful to his wife: If he be a father, he is careful of the holy education of his children: If he be a Master, he is just and merciful to his servants, and careful for the saving of their souls. If he be a child or servant, he is obedient, trusty, diligent and careful, as well behind his Parents or his Masters back, as before his face. He dare not lie, nor steal, nor deceive, nor neglect his duty, nor speak dishonourably of his Superiors, though he were sure he could conceal it all. For he knoweth that the fifth Commandment is enforced with a special Promise, Eph. 6.2.5.9. And that a bad Child, or a bad Servant, a bad Husband or Wife, a bad Parent or Master cannot be a good Christian, Col. 3.18, 19, &c. 4.1. 1 Pet. 2.18.
XLVII. 1. A Christian indeed is exactly conscionable in the dutyes of his relation to others in the family and place of his abode: If he be a husband, he is loving and patient and faithfull to his wife: If he be a father, he is carefull of the holy education of his children: If he be a Master, he is just and mercifull to his servants, and carefull for the saving of their souls. If he be a childe or servant, he is obedient, trusty, diligent and carefull, as well behind his Parents or his Masters back, as before his face. He dare not lie, nor steal, nor deceive, nor neglect his duty, nor speak dishonourably of his Superiors, though he were sure he could conceal it all. For he knoweth that the fifth Commandement is enforced with a special Promise,