A26955:319
The mischiefs of self-ignorance and the benefits of self-acquaintance opened in divers sermons at…
The mischiefs of self-ignorance and the benefits of self-acquaintance opened in divers sermons at Dunstan's-West and published in answer to the accusations of some and the desires of others / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by R. White for F. Tyton, 1662
THE Mischief of Self-ignorance, AND Benefit of Self-acquaintance. › Part
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.
What say you Sirs, if you knew that you were this hour in a state of condemnation, could you forbear making haste with such confessions▪ complaints and earnest supplications to God?
And could you forbear going presently ⟨p. 212⟩to some faithful Minister or godly friend, and telling him your case and danger, and begging his advice, and prayers, and asking him, what a poor sinner must do to be recovered, pardoned and saved, that is so deep in sin and misery, and hath despised Christ and grace so long? Could you tell how to sleep quietly many nights more, before you had earnestly sought out for help, and made this change? How could you choose but presently betake your selves to the company, and converse, and examples of the godly that are within your reach! (For when ever a man is truly changed, his friendship, and company is changed, if he have opportunity.) And how could you choose but go and take your leave of your old companions, and with tears and sorrow tell them how foolishly and sinfully you have done, and what wrong you have done each others souls, and entreat them to repent and do so no more, or else you will renounce them, and fly from their company as from a Pesthouse?
And could you forbear going presently ⟨p. 212⟩to some faithfull Minister or godly friend, and telling him your case and danger, and begging his advice, and prayers, and asking him, what a poor sinner must do to be recovered, pardoned and saved, that is so deep in sin and misery, and hath despised Christ and grace so long? Could you tell how to sleep quietly many nights more, before you had earnestly sought out for help, and made this change? How could you choose but presently betake your selves to the company, and converse, and examples of the godly that are within your reach! (For when ever a man is truly changed, his friendship, and company is changed, if he have opportunity.) And how could you choose but go and take your leave of your old companions, and with tears and sorrow tell them how foolishly and sinfully you have done, and what wrong you have done each others souls, and intreat them to repent and do so no more, or else you will renounce them, and fly from their company as from a Pesthouse?