A26951:400
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.
18. But the great and continued impress of Gods Power, is that which together with his Wisdom and Love, is made and showed in the conversion of mens souls to God by Christ. You may here first consider the numbers which were suddenly converted by the preaching of the Apostles at the first. And in how little time there were Churches planted abroad the world: And then, how the Roman Empire was brought in, and subdued to Christ, and Crowns and Sceptres resigned to him; and all this according to his own prediction, that when he was lifted up, he would draw all men to him; and according to the predictions of his Prophets. But that which I would especially open, is, the POWER which is manifested in the work of the Spirit on the souls of men, both then and to this day.
18. But the great and continued impress of Gods Power, is that which together with his Wisdom and Love, is made and shewed in the conve•sion of mens souls to God by Christ. You may here first consider the numbers which were suddenly converted by the preaching of the Apostles at the first. And in how little time there were Churches planted abroad the world: And then, how the Roman Empire was brought in, and subdued to Christ, and Crowns and Scepters resigned to him; and all this according to his own prediction, that when he was lifted up, he would draw all men to him; and according to the predictions of his Prophets. But that which I would especially open, is, the POWER which is manifested in the work of the Spirit on the souls of men, both then and to this day.
Hitherto what I have mentioned belonging to the Scripture it self; it is to be taken as part of our Religion objectively considered: But that which followeth is the effect of that, even our Religion subjectively considered: To observe how God maketh men Believers, and by believing sanctifieth their hearts and lives, is a great motive to further our own believing. Consider the work, 1. As it is in it self, 2. As it is opposed by all its enemies, and you may see that it is the work of God.