A27016:379
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.
Be but Resolved once that God is Best for you, and Heaven is Best for you, and accordingly make your Resolute Choice, and faithfully Prosecute it, and God will be Yours, Heaven will be yours as sure as the Promise of God is true. But if you will not Choose God and Glory as your Best, but will Choose the world and simple pleasures as Better for you, you shall have no better then you chose, and shall suffer a double condemnation, for neglecting and refusing so great salvation.
You hear now by mens talk, and you see by their lives that the world is divided upon this Question, What it is that is Best for a ⟨p. 107⟩man, and which is his Best and Wisest course? One part (and the greater) think in their hearts that present prosperity is best, because they think that the promised happiness of the life to come is a thing uncertain; or i• there be such a thing, they may have it after the pleasures of sin; These are the Infidels.
Another part have a superficial dead Opinion that Heaven and Holiness are Best: but the Love of the flesh and the world lieth deeper at their hearts, and beareth the greater sway in their lives: and these are the Hypocrites; that is, Christians in Opinion and Profession, and so much of their Practice as will stand with their fleshly interest, but Infidels in their Practical estimation, and at the Heart, and in the reserves and secret bent of their lives.
Another part have a superficial dead Opinion that Heaven and Holiness are Best: but the Love of the flesh and the world lyeth deeper at their hearts, and beareth the greater sway in their lives: and these are the Hypocrites; that is, Christians in Opinion and Profession, and so much of their Practice as will stand with their fleshly interest, but Infidels in their Practical estimation, and at the Heart, and in the reserves and secret bent of their lives.