A26939:154
How to do good to many, or, The public good is the Christians life…How to do good to many, or, The publick good is the Christians life…
How to do good to many, or, The public good is the Christians life directions and motives to it, intended for an auditory of London citizens, and published for them, for want of leave to preach them / by Richard Baxter.How to do good to many, or, The publick good is the Christians life directions and motives to it, intended for an auditory of London citizens, and published for them, for want of leave to preach them / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for Rob. Gibs, 1682
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.
Those that live in the fullest exercise of Love, and doing good, are usually most loved, and many are ready to do good to them. And this Exercise increaseth all fruitful Graces. And there is a present delight in doing good, which is it self a great reward. The Love of others makes it delightful to us: And the pleasing of God, and the imitation of Christ, and the Testimony of Conscience make it delightful. An honest Physician is far gladder to save mens lives or health, than to get their Money. And an honest Soldier is gladder to save his Country than to get his pay. Every honest Minister of Christ, is far gladder to win Souls than to get Money or Preferment. The believing giver hath more pleasure than the receiver; And this without any conceit of commutative meriting of God, or any false trust to works for Justification.
Those that live in the fullest exercise of Love, and doing good, are usually most loved, and many are ready to do good to them. And this Exercise encreaseth all fruitful Graces. And there is a present delight in doing good, which is it self a great reward. The Love of others makes it delightful to us: And the pleasing of God, and the imitation of Christ, and the Testimony of Conscience make it delightful. An honest Physitian is far gladder to save mens lives or health, than to get their Money. And an honest Soldier is gladder to save his Country than to get his pay. Every honest Minister of Christ, is far gladder to win Souls than to get Money or Preferment. The believing giver hath more pleasure than the receiver; And this without any conceit of commutative meriting of God, or any false trust to works for Justification.
6. Stewards must give account of all: What would you wish were the matter of your true account, if death or judgment were to morrow? Would you not wish you had done all the good you could? Do you believe that all shall be Judged according to their Works? Did you ever well study that great prediction of Christ? Matth. 25.