A26951:2163
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.
III. The mischiefs of this Sodomitical Idleness, and the reasons against it, are (briefly) these.
1. It is contrary to the active nature of mans soul; which in activity exceedeth the fire it self. It is as natural for a soul to be active, as for a stone or clod of earth to lie still. And this active nature animateth the passive body, to move it, and use it in it's proper work. And should this heavenly fire be imprisoned in the body, which it should command and move? Psal. 104.23. Man goeth forth to his work and to his labour till the evening.
2. It is contrary to the common course of nature. Doth the Sun shine for you as well as for others? or doth it not? Doth all the frame of nature continue in its course (the air, the waters, the summer and winter) for you as well as for others, or not? If not, then you take not your selves beholden to God for them: And if you have no use for the Sun and other creatures, you have no use for life: for by them you live. But if yea, then what is it that they serve you for? Did God ever frame you so glorious a retinue, to attend you only to sleep, and laugh, and play, and to be idle? what, is all this for no higher an end? or rather do you not by your idleness forfeit life, and all these helps and maintainers of your lives?
2. It is contrary to the common course of nature. Doth the Sun shine for you as well as for others? or doth it not? Doth all the frame of nature continue in its course (the air, the waters, the summer and winter) for you as well as for others, or not? If not, then you take not your selves beholden to God for them: And if you have no use for the Sun and other creatures, you have no use for life: for by them you live. But if yea, then what is it that they serve you for? Did God ever frame you so glorious a retinuue, to attend you only to sleep, and laugh, and play, and to be idle? what, is all this for no higher an end? or rather do you not by your idleness forfeit life, and all these helps and maintainers of your lives?