A26939:91
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.
VI. And a timorous Cowardly disposition, is a great hinderance to public good: For such will be still for the self-saving way, and afraid of the dangers that attend the greatest duties: If they are called to Liberality, they will fear lest they should want themselves: In all costly or hazardous duty, there will still be a Lyon in their way. They cannot trust God, and no wonder then if they are not to be trusted themselves.
VI. And a timerous Cowardly disposition, is a great hinderance to publick good: For such will be still for the self-saving way, and afraid of the dangers that attend the greatest duties: If they are called to Liberality, they will fear lest they should want themselves: In all costly or hazardous duty, there will still be a Lyon in their way. They cannot trust God, and no wonder then if they are not to be trusted themselves.
VII. Lastly, Sloth and Idleness are constant Enemies to well doing. There are two sorts especially guilty of this; one and the better is some Religious people, who think that their business is only with God and their own hearts, and that if they could spend all their time in Meditation, Prayer and such like exercises, it would be the best kind of life on Earth: Among the Papists multitudes by this conceit turn Friars and Nun's. Among us such spend all their time, in hearing Sermons, and in Reading, and Meditating and Prayer, and such like exercises of Religion towards God, if they are but rich enough to live without bodily labour: And the Example of Mary and Martha, they think will make this good.
VII. Lastly, Sloth and Idleness are constant Enemies to well doing. There are two sorts especially guilty of this; one and the better is some Religious people, who think that their business is only with God and their own hearts, and that if they could spend all their time in Meditation, Prayer and such like exercises, it would be the best kind of life on Earth: Among the Papists multitudes by this conceit turn Fryars and Nun's. Among us such spend all their time, in hearing Sermons, and in Reading, and Meditating and Prayer, and such like exercises of Religion towards God, if they are but rich enough to live without bodily labour: And the Example of Mary and Martha, they think will make this good.