A27016:261
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.
3. Consider further, that this one thing is that good part: You see it is here called so. [Mary hath chosen that good part] Other things seem good to sense, and to perverted reason that is blinded by sense; but this is it that seemeth good to reason illuminated by the spirit of Faith. Other things seem good for a while, but this is that good that will still be good.
3. COnsider further, that this one thing is that good part: You see it is here called so. [Mary hath chosen that good part] Other things seem good to sense, and to perverted reason that is blinded by sense; but this is it that seemeth good to reason illuminated by the spirit of Faith. Other things seem good for a while, but this is that good that will still be good.
I may not only say, that the Good of other things is small in comparison of this, but that it is nothing at all, but as it is related unto this. This is that good that makes all things else good that are good. As they come from God, and reveal God to us, and lead us up to God, and are means to this eternal life, so they are good; but otherwise there is no goodness in them.
And therefore, seeing that Goodness is naturally the object of mans will, one would think you should quickly be resolved of your choice. Sensual good, is but a nominal good, if it reach not higher. All that you hunt after so eagerly in the world, is nothing but real vanity and vexation, a shadow of good, a picture of profit, a dream of dght, which one frown of God will turn into astonishing horror and despair. Like a tender flower that is nipped with one frosty night, or withered with one scorching day; but it is only this one thing, that is the solid, substantial, and enduring good. The pleasure of the flesh is a good that is common to men with brutes; They can eat, and drink, and play, and satisfy their lusts, and master one another as well as you. But it is the spiritual good that is proper to a reasonable creature. The pleasure of the flesh may melt you into foolish mirth, and make you like drunken men, that are gallant fellows in their own eyes, while sober men are ashamed of them, or pity them, or they become a laughing-stock to others. But it is this One thing only which is that Good which wisdom it self will justify. A man that is tickled may laugh more then he that is possessed of a Kingdom, or hath the desires of his heart; but he is not therefore to be accounted