A27016:220
A saint or a brute the certain necessity and excellency of holiness, &c. ...…
A saint or a brute the certain necessity and excellency of holiness, &c. ... / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by R.W. for Francis Tyton, 1662
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
1. It is ordinarily persons of the weaker sex, or of very weak brains and very strong passions, that are naturally inclined to it, and are not able to bear any long and serious thoughts, about matters of that moment, which are apt to make the deepest impressions: But persons that naturally are of sound and calm dispositions, are seldom troubled with any such affects.
1. It is ordinarily persons of the weaker sex, or of very weak brains and very strong passions, that are naturally inclined to it, and are not able to bear any long and serious thoughts, about matters of that moment, which are apt to make the deepest impressions: But persons that naturally are of sound and calme dispositions, are seldom troubled with any such affects.
2. It is usually the case of persons that mistake the nature of Religion, though not in the main, yet in some particulars of great concernment: That study not sufficiently the Love of God declared to us in our Redeemer, but feed their griefs and troubles only by the thoughts of their own infirmities; and that consider not that the chief part of Religion doth consist in Love, and Joy in the Holy Ghost, and in Thanksgiving and delightful praising our Creator. So that it is not long of Religion if men will leave out the chief parts of Religion, and make themselves a Religion of so much only as may breed their trouble.
3. And I must further tell you, that as I have had opportunity of knowing the state of as many troubled distempered minds, as any one of you whoever he be; so I must needs bear witness, that I have met with many that have been distracted by worldly cares, or sorrows, or discontents, for one that ever I knew distracted with the cares about the matter of their salvation. And yet though it be worldly care and sorrow that most commonly bringeth death and madness, you will not therefore give over your Callings, and resolve that you will meddle no more with meat, or drink, or clothes, or houses, or lands, or friends, or children: Nay it were well if you would be brought to moderation, and taken off your inordinate desires.