A26951:693
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 3: Directions to live by Faith on the Holy Ghost.
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.
Direct. 6. The greatest mercy in this world, is the gift of the Spirit, and the greatest misery is to be deprived of the Spirit; ⟨p. 207⟩and both these are done to man by God, as a Governor, by way of reward and punishment oft-times: Therefore the greatest reward to be observed in this world, is the increase of the Spirit upon us, and the greatest punishment in this world is the denying or with-holding of the Spirit.
Direct. 6. The greatest mercy in this world, is the gift of the Spirit, and the greatest misery is to be deprived of the Spirit; ⟨p. 207⟩and both these are done to man by God, as a Governour, by way of reward and punishment oft-times: Therefore the greatest reward to be observed in this world, is the increase of the Spirit upon us, and the greatest punishment in this world is the denying or with-holding of the Spirit.
It is therefore a great part of a Christians wisdom and work, to observe the accesses and assistances of the Spirit, and its withdrawings; and to take more notice to God in his thankfulness of the gift of the Spirit, than of all other benefits in this world: And to lament more the retiring or withholding of Gods Spirit, than all the calamities in the world: And to fear this more as a punishment of his sin: Lest God should say as Psal. 81.11, 12. But my people would not hearken to my voice, Israel would none of me: so I gave them up to their own hearts lusts, to walk in their own counsels: And we must obey God through the motive of this promise and reward, Prov. 1.23. Turn you at my reproof; behold, I will pour out my Spirit unto you, I will make known my words to you, Joh. 7.39 He spake this of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive,