A26951:1774
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.
36. All that God commandeth us to do, is both a Duty and a Means; it is called a Duty in relation to God the efficient Law-giver, first: and it is a Means next in relation to God the end, whose work is done, and whose will is pleased by it. And we must always respect it in both these notions inseparably. No Duty is not a Means; and no true Means is not a Duty; but many seem to man to have the aptitude of a Means, which are no duty but a sin; because we see not all things, and therefore are apt to think that fit, which is pernicious.
36. All that God commandeth us to do, is both a Duty and a Means; it is called a Duty in relation to God the efficient Law-giver, first: and it is a Means next in relation to God the end, whose work is done, and whose will is pleased by it. And we must alwaies respect it in both these notions inseparably. No Duty is not a Means; and no true Means is not a Duty; but many seem to man to have the aptitude of a Means, which are no duty but a sin; because we see not all things, and therefore are apt to think that fit, which is pernicious.
37. Therefore nothing must be thought a true Means to any good end, which God forbiddeth: For God knoweth better than we.
38. But we must see that the negative or prohibition be universal, or indeed extendeth to our particular case: and ⟨p. 397⟩then (and not else) you may say that negatives bind to all times.