A26951:2150
The life of faith in three parts, the first is a sermon on Heb.…
The life of faith in three parts, the first is a sermon on Heb. 11, 1, formerly preached before His Majesty, and published by his command, with another added for the fuller application : the second is instructions for confirming believers in the Christian faith : the third is directions how to live by faith, or how to exercise it upon all occasions / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by R.W. for Nevil Simmons, 1670
Part 3 › Chapter 17: How to conquer sloth and idleness by the Life of Faith.
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. 9. Doth not Paul say to servants, If ye can be free, use it rather? Answ. True: But he saith not, If you can be idle, use it rather. A free man may work as hard as a bondman.
Quest. 10. May not a man that hath several callings before him, choose the easiest? Answ. Not merely or chiefly because it is easy: but he must choose the most profitable to the common good, be it easy or hard, if it be such as he can undergo. Yet he may avoid such a calling, as by trying his body, indisposeth him to spiritual things; or by taking up all his time, will deprive him of convenient leisure for things spiritual. But he that only to ease his flesh, doth put by more profitable employments, because they will cost him labour, doth serve his flesh, and cast off his duty to his God.
Quest. 10. May not a man that hath several callings before him, chuse the easiest? Answ. Not meerly or chiefly because it is easie: but he must chuse the most profitable to the common good, be it easie or hard, if it be such as he can undergo. Yet he may avoid such a calling, as by trying his body, indisposeth him to spiritual things; or by taking up all his time, will deprive him of convenient leisure for things spiritual. But he that only to ease his flesh, doth put by more profitable employments, because they will cost him labour, doth serve his flesh, and cast off his duty to his God.
II. The signs of wealthy-idleness are these: