A26935:40
Gods goodness vindicated for the help of such (especially in melancholy) as are tempted…
Gods goodness vindicated for the help of such (especially in melancholy) as are tempted to deny it, and think him cruel, because of the present and future misery of mankind, with respect to the doctrine of reprobation and damnation / by Richard Baxter ... ; published and prefaced by a friend at whose desire it was written, and to whom it was committed.
London: printed for N. Simmons, 1671
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.
Quest. 20. Lastly, now Consider, whether evidently, the root of all this sin be not (besides Melancholy and Satan) the power of selfishness and sensual or fleshly Interest. Alas, poor men, that were made for their God, to rejoice wholly in Pleasing him and to show forth the lustre of his Glory, are fallen unto Themselves and Flesh; and now they that should wholly devote and refer themselves ⟨p. 52⟩to God, do strive to make God a servant to themselves, and measure his Goodness by the Standard of their fleshly sense and Interest; And God shall be with them no longer Good, that is no longer God, than he will give them their wills, and serve their flesh, and keep them from crosses, and losses, and pains, and govern the World according to their fancies; And when they are committing this odious self-exalting Idolatry, and abasing God, even then will they Judge themselves both Wiser, and more merciful than he: Yea, when a Melancholy ⟨p. 53⟩man despaireth in the sense of his own sin and badness, at that very time he thinketh himself more Merciful than the God of Infinite Goodness, and accuseth his God for being crueller than he himself. O man into what distraction and confusion art thou fallen, when thou departest from thy God and sinkest into that blind and wretched self?
Quest. 20. Lastly, now Consider, whether evidently, the root of all this sin be not (besides Melancholy and Satan) the power of selfishness and sensual or fleshly Interest. Alas, poor men, that were made for their God, to rejoyce wholly in Pleasing him and to shew forth the lustre of his Glory, are fallen unto Themselves and Flesh; and now they that should wholly devote and referr themselves ⟨p. 52⟩to God, do strive to make God a servant to themselves, and measure his Goodness by the Standard of their fleshly sence and Interest; And God shall be with them no longer Good, that is no longer God, than he will give them their wills, and serve their flesh, and keep them from crosses, and losses, and pains, and govern the World according to their fancies; And when they are committing this odious self-exalting Idolatry, and abasing God, even then will they Judge themselves both Wiser, and more merciful than he: Yea, when a Melancholy ⟨p. 53⟩