A26919:823
The divine life in three treatises
The divine life in three treatises ... by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for Francis Tyton, 1664
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
4. It will be a life of smaller comfort, as it is a life of smaller benefit to others. They that do but little good (according to their ability) must expect but little comfort. They have usually most peace and comfort to themselves, that are the most profitable to others. [Non potest quisquam bene degere qui se tantum intuetur: Alteri vivas oportet, si tibi vi• vivere: Sen.] No man can live well, that looketh but to himself: Thou must live to another, if thou wilt live to thy self.]
O the delight that there is in doing good to many! None knoweth it that hath not tried it: Not upon any account of Merit; but as it Pleaseth God, and as Goodness it self is amiable and sweet; and as we receive by communicating; and as we are under promise; and as Charity makes all the good that's done to another to be to us as our own!
O the delight that there is in doing good to many! None knoweth it that hath not tryed it: Not upon any account of Merit; but as it Pleaseth God, and as Goodness it self is amiable and sweet; and as we receive by communicating; and as we are under promise; and as Charity makes all the good that's done to another to be to us as our own!
5. We are dark and partial, and heedless of our selves, and hardly brought or kept in acquaintance with our hearts; and therefore have the more need of the eye of others: And even an enemies eye may be useful, though malicious; and may do us good while he intends us evil, saith Bernard [Malum quod nemo videt nemo arguit: Ubi autem non timetur reprehensor, securus accedit tentator; licentius perpetratur iniquitas] [The evil that none seeth, none reproveth: and where the reprover is not feared, the tempter cometh more boldly, and the sin is committed the more licentiously.] It's hard to know the spots in our own faces, when we have no glass or beholder to acquaint us with them. Saith Chrysostom [Solitude is velamen omnium vitiorum] the cover of all vices] In company this cover is laid aside, and vice being more naked, is more ashamed. It is beholders that cause shame; which Solitude is not acquainted with: And it's a piece of impenitency not to be ashamed of sin.