A26951:1248
The life of faith in three parts, the first is a sermon on Heb.…
The life of faith in three parts, the first is a sermon on Heb. 11, 1, formerly preached before His Majesty, and published by his command, with another added for the fuller application : the second is instructions for confirming believers in the Christian faith : the third is directions how to live by faith, or how to exercise it upon all occasions / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by R.W. for Nevil Simmons, 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.
Note here how much the belief of Gods threatenings doth to the constitution of that faith which is justifying and saving.
Note here how much the belief of Gods threatnings doth to the constitution of that faith which is justifying and saving.
Direct. 2. Judge not of Gods threatenings by the evil which is threatened, but by the obedience to which the threatenings should drive us, and the evil from which they would preserve us, and the order of the world which they preserve, and the wisdom, and holiness, and justice of God; which they demonstrate.
Direct. 2. Judge not of Gods threatnings by the evil which is threatned, but by the obedience to which the threatnings should drive us, and the evil from which they would preserve us, and the order of the world which they preserve, and the wisdom, and holiness, and justice of God; which they demonstrate.
When men think how dreadful a misery Hell is, they are ⟨p. 299⟩ready to think hardly of God, both for his threatening and execution; as if it were long of him, and not of themselves, that they are miserable. And as it is a very hard thing to think of the punishment it self with approbation; so is it also to think of the threatening, or Law which binds men over to it; or of the Judgement which will pass the sentence on them. But think of the true nature, use and benefits of these threats or penal Laws, and true reason, and faith will not only be reconciled to them; but see that they are to be loved and honoured, as well as feared. 1. They are of great use to drive us to obedience. And it is easier to see the amiableness of Gods commands, than of his threats: And obedience to these commands, is the holy rectitude, health and beauty of the soul. And therefore that which is a suitable and needful means, to promote obedience, is amiable and beneficial to us. Though Love must be the principle or chief spring of our obedience; yet he that knoweth not that Fear must drive, as Love must draw, and is necessary in its place to join with Love, or to do that which the weaknesses of Love leave undone, doth neither know what a man is, nor what Gods Word is, nor what his Government is, nor what either Magistracy, or any civil, or domestical Government is and therefore should spend many years at School before he turneth a disputer.