A26951:189
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.
Your end is narrow, though your way be broad: and our end is broad, though our way be narrow. You build as Miners in Cole-pits do, by digging downwards into the dark; and yet you are laborious: Though we begin on earth, we build towards Heaven, where an attractive lodestone draws up the workmen and the work; and shall we loiter under so great encouragements? Have you considered that Faith is the beholding grace? the evidence of things not seen? and yet have you the hearts to blame Believers, for doing all that they can do, in a case of such unspeakable everlasting consequence. If we are Believers, Heaven and Hell are as i• were open to our sight? And would you wish us to trifle in the sight of Heaven? or to leap into Hell, when we see it as before us? what name can express the inhumane cruelty of such a wish o• motion? or the unchristian folly of those that will obey you?
Your end is narrow, though your way be broad: and our end is broad, though our way be narrow. You build as Miners in Cole-pits do, by digging downwards into the dark; and yet you are laborious: Though we begin on earth, we build towards Heaven, where an attractive loadstone draws up the workmen and the work; and shall we loiter under so great encouragements? Have you considered that Faith is the beholding grace? the evidence of things not seen? and yet have you the hearts to blame Believers, for doing all that they can do, in a case of such unspeakable everlasting consequence. If we are Believers, Heaven and Hell are as i• were open to our sight? And would you wish us to trifle in the sight of Heaven? or to leap into Hell, when we see it as before us? what name can express the inhumane cruelty of such a wish o• motion? or the unchristian folly of those that will obey you?
O give us leave to be serious for a Kingdom which by Faith we see! Blame us for this, and blame us that we are not beside our selves. Pardon us that we are awake, when the thunder of Jehovah's voice doth call to us, denouncing everlasting wrath to all that are sensual and ungodly. Were we asleep, as you are, we would lie still and take no heed what God or man said to us.