A26951:481
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 2 › Chapter 8: The rest of the Directions for strengthening our 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.
6. The three sensible evidences formerly mentioned, compared with the Scriptures, may much persuade us of its truth: I mean 1. Apparitions; 2. Witches; 3. Satanical possessions or diseases, which plainly declare the operation of Satan in them; of all which I could give you manifold and proved instances. These, and many other instances of Gods providence, are great means to help us to believe his Word (though we must not with Fanatical persons, put first our own interpretation upon Gods works, and then expound his Word by them; but use his works as the fulfilling of his Word, and expound his Providences by his Precepts, and his Promises and Threats.
6. The three sensible evidences formerly mentioned, compared with the Scriptures, may much perswade us of its truth: I mean 1. Apparitions; 2. Witches; 3. Satanical possessions or diseases, which plainly declare the operation of Satan in them; of all which I could give you manifold and proved instances. These, and many other instances of Gods providence, are great means to help us to believe his Word (though we must not with Fanatical persons, put first our own interpretation upon Gods works, and then expound his Word by them; but use his works as the fulfilling of his Word, and expound his Providences by his Precepts, and his Promises and Threats.
Direct. 7. Mark well Gods inward works of Government upon the soul; and you shall find it very agreeable to the Gospel.
There is a very great evidence of a certain Kingdom of God ⟨p. 143⟩within us: And as he is himself a Spirit, so it is with the Spirit that he doth most apparently converse, in the work of his moral Government in the world. 1. There you shall find a Law of duty, or an inward conviction of much of that obedience which you owe to God. 2. There you shall find an inward mover, striving with you to draw you to perform this duty. 3. There you shall find the inward suggestions of an enemy, labouring to draw you away from this duty, and to make a godly life seem grievous to you; and also to draw you to all the sins which Christ forbiddeth. 4. There you shall find an inward conviction, that God is your Judge, and that he will call you to account for your wilful violations of the Laws of Christ.