A26917:75
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.
Directions 1: DIRECTIONS TO THE CONVERTED, For their establishment, growth, and perseverance.
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.
In the mean time, it is a fearful thing to see in what a wavering condition you seem to stand; like a Tree that shakes, as if it were even falling; ⟨p. 38⟩or like a cowardly Army that are ready to run before they fight; and like cowardly Soldiers, you are still looking behind you, and a small matter troubleth, and perplexeth, and staggereth you, as if you were ready to repent of your repentings. And must God have such servants as these, that upon every rumour or word or trouble, are wavering and looking back, and ready to forsake him?
In the mean time, it is a fearful thing to see in what a wavering condition you seem to stand; like a Tree that shakes, as if it were even falling; ⟨p. 38⟩or like a cowardly Army that are ready to run before they fight; and like cowardly Souldiers, you are still looking behind you, and a small matter troubleth, and perplexeth, and staggereth you, as if you were ready to repent of your repentings. And must God have such servants as these, that upon every rumour or word or trouble, are wavering and looking back, and ready to forsake him?
15. Consider also, that the same Reasons that moved you at first to be Christians, should now move you to be confirmed thriving Christians: For they are of force as well for this as for that. You would not have mist your part in Christ for all the World (if indeed you have the least degree of Grace). And if the beginning be good and necessary, the increase is neither bad or needless. If a little Grace be desirable, sure more is more desirable. If it was then but a reasonable thing that you should forsake all for Christ and follow him; it is sure as reasonable that you should follow him to the end, till you reach that blessedness which was the end for which at first you followed him. What Christian! hast thou found God a hard Master, a barren Wilderness to thee? or his service an unprofitable thing! say so, and I dare say thou art a bastard (to use the Apostles phrase,