A26951:1271
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.
Object. But do not Protestant Divines conclude against the Papists, that saving Faith must be a particular application of Christ and the Promise to ourselves, and not only a general assent?
Answ. It is very true; and the closer that application is the better. But the application which all sound Divines (in this point) require as necessary in saving Faith, is neither an assurance, nor persuasion that your own sins are already pardoned, or that they ever will be: But it is 1. A belief that the Promise of pardon to all believers, is so universal, as that it includeth you as well as others, and promiseth and offereth you pardon, and life, if you will believe in Christ. 2. And it is a ⟨p. 305⟩consent or willingness of heart that Christ be yours, and you be his, to the ends proposed in the Gospel. 3. And it is a practical Trust in his sufficiency, as choosing him for the only Mediator, resolving to venture your souls, and all your hopes upon him: Though yet through your ignorance of your selves, you may think that you do not this thing in sincerity, which indeed you do, yea and much fear (through melancholy or temptation) that you never shall do it, and consequently never shall be saved.
Answ. It is very true; and the closer that application is the better. But the application which all sound Divines (in this point) require as necessary in saving Faith, is neither an assurance, nor perswasion that your own sins are already pardoned, or that they ever will be: But it is 1. A belief that the Promise of pardon to all believers, is so universal, as that it includeth you as well as others, and promiseth and offereth you pardon, and life, if you will believe in Christ. 2. And it is a ⟨p. 305⟩consent or willingness of heart that Christ be yours, and you be his, to the ends proposed in the Gospel. 3. And it is a practical Trust in his sufficiency, as chusing him for the only Mediatour, resolving to venture your souls, and all your hopes upon him: Though yet through your ignorance of your selves, you may think that you do not this thing in sincerity, which indeed you do, yea and much fear (through melancholy or temptation) that you never shall do it, and consequently never shall be saved.