A26951:159
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.
In the handling of this Doctrine, I have already showed, that this Faith is a grounded justifiable knowledge, and not a fancy, or uneffectual opinion; having for its object the infallible Revelation, and certain Truth of God; and not a falsehood, nor a mere probability or verisimile. I have showed how such a Faith will work; how far it should carry us, if its evidence were fully entertained and improved; and how far it doth carry all that have it sincerely in the least degree; and I have showed some of the moving considerations, that should prevail with us to live upon the things unseen, as if they were open to our sight.
In the handling of this Doctrine, I have already shewed, that this Faith is a grounded justifiable knowledge, and not a fancy, or uneffectual opinion; having for its object the infallible Revelation, and certain Truth of God; and not a falshood, nor a meer probability or verisimile. I have shewed how such a Faith will work; how far it should carry us, if its evidence were fully entertained and improved; and how far it doth carry all that have it sincerely in the least degree; and I have shewed some of the moving considerations, that should prevail with us to live upon the things unseen, as if they were open to our sight.
I think I may suddenly proceed here to the remaining part of the Application, without any recital of the explication or confirmation, the truth lying so naked in the Text it self.
The Life of Faith, and the Life of Sense, are the two ways ⟨p. 49⟩that all the world do walk in, to the two extremely different ends, which appear when death withdraws the veil. It is the ordination of God, that mens own estimation, choice and endeavours, shall be the necessary preparative to their Fruition. Nemo nolens bonus aut beatus est. Men shall have no better than they value, and choose, and seek: Where earthly things are highest in the esteem, and dearest to the mind of man, such persons have no higher, nor more durable a portion. Where the heavenly things are highest and dearest to the soul, and are practically preferred, they are the portion of that soul. Where the Treasure is, the heart will be,