A26951:163
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.
Consider then but of the profession of many of the people of this Land, and compare their practice with it, and judge what compassion the condition of many doth bespeak. If you will believe them, they profess that they verily believe in the invisible God; in a Christ unseen to them; in the Holy Spirit, gathering a holy Church to Christ, and employing them in a communion of Saints: that they believe a judgement to come, upon the glorious coming of the Lord; and an everlasting life of joy or torment thereupon. All this is in their Creed: they would take him for a damnable Heretic that denieth it; and perhaps would consent that he be burnt at a stake: So that you would think these men should live, as if Heaven and Hell were open to their sight. But O what an Hypocritical Generation are the ungodly! how their lives do give their tongues the lye! (Remember that I apply this to no better men.) It is a wonder that such men can believe themselves, when they say they do indeed believe the Gospel: And shows what a monster the blind deceitful heart of an impenitent sinner is: In good sadness can they think that they truly believe that God is ⟨p. 51⟩God, and yet so wilfully disobey him? that Heaven is Heaven, and yet prefer the world before it? that Hell is Hell, and yet will venture upon it for a lust, or a thing of nought? What! believe that there is at hand a life of endless joy! and no more mind it! but hate them that set their hearts upon it! Do they believe, that except a man be converted and new born, he shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven? as Christ hath told them, Matth. 18.3. John 3.3, 5. and yet never trouble their minds about it, to try whether they are converted and new born, or not? Do they believe God, that no man shall see him without holiness? Heb. 12.14. and yet dare they be unholy? and perhaps deride it? Do they believe that Christ will come in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall be punished with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power, 2 Thes. 2.8, 9. and yet dare they disobey the Gospel!