Baxter - BT785 B39 1657

Spiritual Peace and Comfort. y7 danger, to this the heart is ufually very backward ; partly through a linfull bafhfulnefs, partly for want ofmore believing lively apprehenfions of our duty and our brothers danger, andpartly becaufe we are loth todifpleafe men and lofe their favour ; it being grown fo common for mento fall out with thofe ( if not hate them) that deal plainly and faithfully with them. 4. Alfo to Take a reproof, as well as to Give it the heart is very;backward : Even godly men ( through the fad remainders oftheir finfulnefs,) do too commonly frown, and fnarl, and retort our re- proofs,andRudy prefently how to excufe themfelves, and put it by, or how to charge us with fomething that may flop our mouths and make the Reprover feem as bad as thernfelves : Though they dare not tread our reproofs under feet, and Turn again, and all to rent us, yet they oft film the remnants ofa dogged nature, though when they reveiw their waies it coils them forrow. We muff fugar and butter our words,and make them liker to ffroaking then ftriking, liker anapproving then a reproving them, liker flat- tery thenfaithful dealing, and yet when we have all done, they godown very hardly, and that but half way, even with many godly people when they are under a temptation. 5. The like may be faid of all thofe Duties whichdopinchupon our credit or pro- fit, or tend to difgrace us, or impoverifb us in the world ; As theconfeffing ofa Difgracefull fault : the free Giving to the poor or facred ufes, according to our Oates : the parting withour ownRight or gain for Peak : the Patient fuffering of wrong, and for- giving it heartily : and lovingbitter abufive enemies: efpecially the running upon the fiream of mensdif pleafure,

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