A26951:2155
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
Part 3 › Chapter 17: How to conquer sloth and idleness by the Life of Faith.
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.
3. When mens labour hath but the time that's due to Recreation; and Recreation and Idleness hath the great part of time that's due to labour. The labour of the idle Sodomite, is like the Religion of the reserved Hypocrite: It is but the leavings of the flesh, or somewhat that cometh in upon the by. But God is not unconstant in his mercies unto us: He is still preserving us, and maintaining us: The Angels are still guarding us: The faithful Ministers of Christ are constant in teaching us (and loth that Satan should hinder them, and save their labour:) Faithful Magistrates also watch continually, to be a terror to evil doers, and a praise to them that do well, as the Ministers of God for our good: And can a short and idle kind of labouring then excuse us? Christ said, It was his meat to do his Fathers will, when he was endeavouring mans salvation, John 4 34. And that he must do the work of him that ⟨p. 481⟩sent him while it was day, John 9.4. And shall Idleness be excused in us? even in us who must be judged according to our works, Rev. 22.12. Mark 13.34. by him that hath commanded every man his work? Yea when we are redeemed and purified to be zealous of good works, Titus 2.14. and are his workmanship created to good works in Christ, which God hath ordained, that we should walk in them, Ephes. 2.10.
3. When mens labour hath but the time that's due to Recreation; and Recreation and Idleness hath the great part of time that's due to labour. The labour of the idle Sodomite, is like the Religion of the reserved Hypocrite: It is but the leavings of the flesh, or somewhat that cometh in upon the by. But God is not unconstant in his mercies unto us: He is still preserving us, and maintaining us: The Angels are still guarding us: The faithful Ministers of Christ are constant in teaching us (and loth that Satan should hinder them, and save their labour:) Faithful Magistrates also watch continually, to be a terrour to evil doers, and a praise to them that do well, as the Ministers of God for our good: And can a short and idle kind of labouring then excuse us? Christ said, It was his meat to do his Fathers will, when he was endeavouring mans salvation,