A26939:182
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.
Obj. But he may prove better hereafter, as some do. Ans. It is not bare possibilities, that must guide a wise mans Actions when probability is against them. Would you commit your Children to the care of a Mad man or a Knave, because he may possibly come to his Wits, or become honest? Have you not long tried him, and have you not endeavoured to cure him of his Idleness, ⟨p. 42⟩wickedness or lust? If it be not done, what ground have you to presume it will be done when you are dead? You may have so much hope as not utterly to despair of him: But that will not allow you to trust him with that which God made you Steward of, for his use and service.
Obj. But he may prove better hereafter, as some do. Ans. It is not bare possibilities, that must guide a wise mans Actions when probability is against them. Would you commit your Children to the care of a Mad man or a Knave, because he may possibly come to his Wits, or become honest? Have you not long tried him, and have you not endeavour'd to cure him of his Idleness, ⟨p. 42⟩wickedness or lust? If it be not done, what ground have you to presume it will be done when you are dead? You may have so much hope as not utterly to despair of him: But that will not allow you to trust him with that which God made you Steward of, for his use and service.
But if such hopes may be gratified, give your estate in trust to some Conscionable friend, with secret order to give it your Son or Kinsman, if he become hereafter fit to use it, according to the ends for which God giveth it.
Reas. 2. The Obligation in my Text of doing good to all, extendeth to the end of our lives: And therefore to our last Will and Testament. Therefore you must make your Wills so as may do good to all, and not to cherish sin and idleness.