N21487:143
A call to the unconverted, to turn and live
A call to the unconverted, to turn and live; and accept of mercy, while mercy may be had; as they ever would find mercy, in the day of extremity from the living God. / By his unworthy servant, Richard Baxter.
Philadelphia: printed for Matthew Carey, 1795Philadelphia: printed for Mathew Carey, 1795
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.
9. The very frame of thy nature, and being itself, bespeaketh thy return: Why hast thou reason, but to rule thy flesh, and serve thy Lord? Why hast thou an understanding soul but to learn, and know his will, and do it? Why hast thou an heart within thee, that can love and fear, and desire, but that thou shouldst fear him, and love him, and desire after him?
9. The very frame of thy nature, and being itself, bespeaketh thy return: Why hast thou reason, but to rule thy flesh, and serve thy Lord? Why hast thou an understanding soul but to l•arn, and know his will, and do it? Why hast thou an heart within thee, that can love and fear, and desire, but that thou shouldst fear him, and love him, and desire after him?
10. Yea, thine own engagements, by promise, to the Lord, do call upon thee to turn, and serve him. Thou hast bound thyself to him by a baptismal covenant, and renounced the world, the flesh and the devil: This thou hast confirmed, by the profession of Christianity, and renewed it at sacraments, and in times of affliction; and wilt thou promise and vow, and never perform, and turn to God?
Lay all these together, now, and see what should be the issue. The holy scripture calls upon thee to turn; the ministers of Christ, do call upon thee to turn; the spirit cries, turn; the conscience cries, turn; the godly, by persuasions and examples, cries, turn; the whole world, and all the creatures therein, that are presented to thy consideration, cry, turn; the patient forbearance of God, cries turn; all the mercies which thou hast received, cry turn; the rod of God's chastisement, cries, turn; thy reason, and the frame of thy nature, bespeaks thy turning; and so do all thy promises to God; and yet art thou not ready to turn?