A26951:1274
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.
If you would know whether you believe the Promises truly, answer me these particular questions: 1. Do you believe that God hath promised that all true Believers shall be saved? 2. Do you believe that if you are or shall be a true Believer, you shall be saved? 3. Do you choose or desire God as your only happiness and end, to be enjoyed in Heaven, and Christ as the only Mediator to procure it; and his holy Spirit as his Agent in your souls, to sanctify you fully to the Image of God? Are you truly willing that thus it should be? And if God be willing, will not you refuse it? 4. Do you turn away from all other ways of felicity, and choose this alone, to venture all your hopes upon, and resolve to seek for none but this; and to venture all on God and Christ, though yet you are uncertain of your sincerity and salvation? why this makes up true saving faith.
If you would know whether you believe the Promises truly, answer me these particular questions: 1. Do you believe that God hath promised that all true Believers shall be saved? 2. Do you believe that if you are or shall be a true Believer, you shall be saved? 3. Do you chuse or desire God as your only happiness and end, to be enjoyed in Heaven, and Christ as the only Mediatour to procure it; and his holy Spirit as his Agent in your souls, to sanctifie you fully to the Image of God? Are you truly willing that thus it should be? And if God be willing, will not you refuse it? 4. Do you turn away from all other waies of felicity, and chuse this alone, to venture all your hopes upon, and resolve to seek for none but this; and to venture all on God and Christ, though yet you are uncertain of your sincerity and salvation? why this makes up true saving faith.
5. And I would further ask you; Do you fear damnation, and Gods wrath, or not? If not, what troubleth you? and why complain you? If you do, tell me then whether you do believe Gods threatening, that he that believeth not shall be damned, or not? If you do not, what maketh you fear damnation? Do you fear it, and not believe that there is any such thing? If you do believe it, how can you choose but believe also, that every true Believer shall be saved? Is God true in his Threatenings, and not in his Promises? This must force you plainly to confess, that you do believe Gods Promises, but only doubt of your own sincerity, and consequently of your salvation; which is more a weakness in your hope, than in your