A26951:282
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.
15. When new doubts arise, mark whether they proceed not from the advantage which the tempter findeth in your minds, rather than from the difficulty of the thing it self: And whether you have not formerly had good satisfaction against the same doubts which now perplex you: If so, suffer not every discomposure of your minds, to become a means of unbelief: And suffer not Satan to command you to dispute your faith ⟨p. 95⟩at his pleasure: For if he may choose the time, he may choose the success. Many a man hath cast up a large account well, or written a learned Treatise or Position well, who cannot clear up all objected difficulties on a sudden, nor without Books tell you all that he before wrote; especially if he be half drunk or sleepy, or in the midst of other thoughts o• business.
15. When new doubts arise, mark whether they proceed not from the advantage which the tempter findeth in your minds, rather than from the difficulty of the thing it self: And whether you have not formerly had good satisfaction against the same doubts which now perplex you: If so, suffer not every discomposure of your minds, to become a means of unbelief: And suffer not Satan to command you to dispute your faith ⟨p. 95⟩at his pleasure: For if he may chuse the time, he may chuse the success. Many a man hath cast up a large account well, or written a learned Treatise or Position well, who cannot clear up all objected difficulties on a sudden, nor without Books tell you all that he before wrote; especially if he be half drunk or sleepy, or in the midst of other thoughts o• business.
15. When you are once persuaded of the truth of Christianity, and the holy Scriptures, think not that you need not study it any more, because you do already confidently believe it: For if your faith be not built on such cogent evidence as will warrant the conclusion (whether it be at the present sound or not) you know not what change assaults may make upon you (as we have known them do on some ancient eminent Professors of the strictest Godliness, who have turned from Christ, and the belief of immortality.)