A26906:479
The cure of church-divisions, or, Directions for weak Christians to keep them from being…
The cure of church-divisions, or, Directions for weak Christians to keep them from being dividers or troublers of the church with some directions to the pastors how to deal with such Christians / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for Nevil Symmons, 1670
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.
To understand this matter the better, I pray you consider, that Prayer is not to change Gods mind; but to make us the meet receivers of his mercies: And this it doth by exciting and exercising those apprehensions and desires, which make us fit by valuing them to improve them. Therefore such principles, dispositions and desires as are in us, Prayer doth excite and exercise: And every man prayeth according to his own judgement, disposition and affection. And that apprehension and affection, which is most stirred up and exercised, is most felt. And that which is most felt, doth most take us up, and is most observed: And so we think that it is the impulse of Gods spirit, and the answer of our prayers, when it is but the operation of our own spirits, and the sensible activity of our former principles.
To understand this matter the better, I pray you consider, that Prayer is not to change Gods mind; but to make us the meet receivers of his mercies: And this it doth by exciting and exercising those apprehensions and desires, which make us fit by valuing them to improve them. Therefore such principles, dispositions and desiers as are in us, Prayer doth excite and exercise: And every man prayeth according to his own judgement, disposition and affection. And that apprehension and affection, which is most stirred up and exercised, is most felt. And that which is most felt, doth most take us up, and is most observed: And so we think that it is the impulse of Gods spirit, and the answer of our prayers, when it is but the operation of our own spirits, and the sensible activity of our former principles.
There are very few that take their impulses and resolutions, for the spirits answer of their prayers, but they had before an understanding most inclined to that opinion, or else a bias upon their affections, bending them that way; or something in themselves which occasioned the scales to turn that way.
There are very few that take their impulses and resolutions, for the spirits answer of their prayers, but they had before an understanding most inclined to that opinion, or else a byas upon their affections, bending them that way; or something in themselves which occasioned the scales to turn that way.