A26951:213
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.
Affliction maketh you somewhat more calm, and wise, and sober, and cautelous, and considerate, and preventeth as well as cureth sin. Prosperity makes them (through their abuse) inconsiderate, rash, insensible, foolish, proud, unpersuadable. And the turning away of the simple slayeth them, and the prosperity of fools destroyeth them, Prov. 1.32. It's long since Lazarus's sores were healed, and his wants relieved; and long since Dives feast was ended. O let me rather be afflicted, than rejected; and be a door-keeper in the house of God, than dwell in the tents of wickedness: and rather be under the rod, than turned out of doors. Look with a serious Faith upon Eternity, and then make a great matter of enjoyments or sufferings here if you can. Great joys and sorrows forbid men to complain of the biting of a Flea. Thunder-claps drown a whispering voice.
Affliction maketh you somewhat more calm, and wise, and sober, and cautelous, and considerate, and preventeth as well as cureth sin. Prosperity makes them (through their abuse) inconsiderate, rash, insensible, foolish, proud, unperswadable. And the turning away of the simple slayeth them, and the prosperity of fools destroyeth them, Prov. 1.32. It's long since Lazarus's sores were healed, and his wants relieved; and long since Dives feast was ended. O let me rather be afflicted, than rejected; and be a door-keeper in the house of God, than dwell in the tents of wickedness: and rather be under the rod, than turned out of doors. Look with a serious Faith upon Eternity, and then make a great matter of enjoyments or sufferings here if you can. Great joyes and sorrows forbid men to complain of the biting of a Flea. Thunder-claps drown a whispering voice.
O what unbelief our impatience and disquietness in sufferings do discover! Is this living by faith? and conversing in another world? and taking God for All, and the world for Nothing? What! make such a do of poverty, imprisonment, injuries, disgrace, with Heaven and Hell before our eyes? The Lord vouchsafe me that condition, in which I shall be nearest to himself, and have most communion with Heaven; be it what it will be for the things of earth. These are the desires to which I'll stand.