A26951:486
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.
7. And there also you may find the Rewards of Love and faithful duty; by many tastes of Gods acceptance, and many comforts of his Spirit, and by his owning the soul, and giving out larger assistance of his Spirit, and peace of conscience, and entertainment in prayer, and all approaches of the soul to ⟨p. 144⟩God, and sweeter forecasts of life eternal. In a word, if we did but note Gods dreadful Judgements on the souls of the ungodly in this age, as well as we have noted our plagues and flames; and if Gods servants kept as exact observations of their inward rewards and punishments, and that in particulars, as suited to their particular sins and duties; you will see that Christ is King indeed, and that there is a real Government according to his Gospel, kept up in the consciences or souls of men (though not so observable as the rewards and punishments at the last day.)
Direct. 8. Dwell not too much on sensual objects, and let them not come too near your hearts.
Three things I here persuade you carefully to avoid: 1. That you keep your hearts at a meet distance from all things in this world; that they grow not too sweet to you, nor too great in your esteem: 2. That you gratify not sense it self too much; and live not in the pleasing of your taste or lust: 3. That you suffer not your imaginations to run out greedily after things sensitive, nor make them the too frequent objects of your thoughts.
Three things I here perswade you carefully to avoid: 1. That you keep your hearts at a meet distance from all things in this world; that they grow not too sweet to you, nor too great in your esteem: 2. That you gratifie not sense it self too much; and live not in the pleasing of your taste or lust: 3. That you suffer not your imaginations to run out greedily after things sensitive, nor make them the too frequent objects of your thoughts.