A Call To The Unconverted
Part 2
Here is the next part of Richard Baxter’s, A Call to the Unconverted. Take your time as you read these and let the truth sink in.
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Chuck Long
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‘As I live!' declares the Lord God, 'I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?’ Ezekiel 33:11
A Call To The Unconverted – Excerpt (part 2 of 3)
Richard Baxter
By what I have said, you may see what it is to be wicked, and what it is to be converted; which, I think, will yet be plainer to you, if I describe them as consisting of their several parts. And for the first, a wicked man may be known by these three things:
First, He is one who places his chief affections on earth, and loves the creature more than God, and his fleshly prosperity above the heavenly felicity. He savors the things of the flesh, but neither discerns nor savors the things of the Spirit; though he will say, that heaven is better than earth, yet he cloth not really so esteem it to himself. If he might be sure of earth, he would let go heaven, and had rather stay here than be removed thither. A life of perfect holiness in the sight of God, and in his love and praises for ever in heaven, does not find such liking with his heart as a life of health, and wealth, and honor here upon earth. And though he falsely profess that he loves God above all, yet indeed he never felt the power of divine love within him, but his mind is more set on worldly or fleshly pleasures than on God. In a word, whoever loves earth above heaven, and fleshly prosperity more than God, is a wicked unconverted man.
On the other hand, a converted man is illuminated to discern the loveliness of God, and so far believes the glory that is to be had with God, that his heart is taken up with it and set more upon it than any thing in this world. He had rather see the face of God, and live in his everlasting love and praises, than have all the wealth or pleasures of the world. He sees that all things else are vanity, and nothing but God can fill the soul; and therefore let the world go which way it will, he lays up his treasures and hopes in heaven, and for that he is resolved to let go all. As the fire does mount upward, and the needle that is touched with the loadstone still turns to the north, so the converted soul is inclined unto God. Nothing else can satisfy him: nor can he find any content and rest but in his love. In a word, all that are converted do esteem and love God better than all the world, and the heavenly felicity is dearer to them than their fleshly prosperity. The proof of what I have said you may find in these places of Scriptures: Phil. 3:18, 21; Matt. 6:19, 20, 21; Col. 3:1,4; Rom. 8:5, 9, 18, 23; Psalm 73:25, 26.
Secondly, A wicked man is one that makes it the principal business of his life to prosper in the world, and attain his fleshly ends. And though he may read, and hear, and do much in the outward duties of religion, and forbear disgraceful sins, yet this is all but by-the-by, and he never makes it the principal business of his life to please God, and attain everlasting glory, and puts off God with the leavings of the world, and gives him no more service than the flesh can spare, for he will not part with an for heaven.
On the contrary, a converted man is one that makes it the principal care and business of his life to please God, and to be saved, and takes all the blessings of this life but as accommodations in his journey toward another life: and uses the creature in subordination to God; he loves a holy life, and longs to be more holy; he has no sin but what he hates, and longs, and prays, and strives to be rid of. The drift and bent of his life is for God, and if he sin, it is contrary to the very bent of his heart and life; and therefore he rifleth again and laments it, and dares not willfully live in any known sin. There is nothing in this world so dear to him but he can give it up to God, and forsake it for him and the hopes of glory. All this you may see in Col. 3:1,5; Matt. 6:20, 33. Luke, 18: 22,23,29; Luke, 14:18,24,26, 27; Rom. 8: 13; Gal. 5:24; Luke 12: 21, &c.
Thirdly, The soul of a wicked man did never truly discern and relish the mystery of redemption, nor thankfu1ly entertain an offered Savior, nor is he taken up with the love of the Redeemer, nor willing to be ruled by him as the Physician of his soul, that he may be saved from the guilt and power of his sins, and recovered to God; but his heart is insensible of this unspeakable benefit, and is quite against the healing means by which he should be recovered. Though he may be willing to be outwardly religious, yet he never resigns up his soul to Christ and to the motions and conduct of his word and Spirit.
On the contrary, the converted soul having felt himself undone by sin, and perceiving that he has lost his peace with God and hopes of heaven, and is in danger of everlasting misery, does thankfully entertain the tidings of redemption, and believing in the Lord Jesus as his only Savior, resigns himself up to him for wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. He takes Christ as the life of his soul, and lives by him, and uses him as a salve for every sore, admiring the wisdom and love of God in this wonderful work of man's redemption. In a word, Christ does even dwell in his heart by faith, and the life that he now lives is by the faith of the Son of God that loved him, and gave himself for him; yea, it is not so much he that lives, as Christ in him. For these, see Job 1:11, 12; 3:19,20. Rom.8: 9; Phil. 3: 7, 10; Gal. 2: 20; Job, 15: 2, 3, 4; 1 Cor.1: 20; 2: 2.
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