A26951:754
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.
Object. But it is said, Gal. 5.17. The flesh lusteth against the Spirit—so that ye cannot do the things which ye would.
Answ. That is, every true Christian would fain be perfect in Holiness and Obedience, but cannot, because of the lustings of the flesh: But it doth not say or mean, that any true Christian would live without wilful gross, or reigning sin, and cannot; that he would live without murder, adultery, theft, or any sin which is more loved than hated, but cannot. We cannot do all that we would; but it doth not follow that we can do nothing which we would, or cannot sincerely obey the Gospel.
Object. Paul saith, Rom. 7.15, 18. To will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not: and what I would, that I do not.
Answ. The same answer will serve. To will perfect Obedience to all Gods Laws, was present with Paul; but not to do it. He would be free from every infirmity, but could not: (And therefore could not be justified by the Law of Works.) But he never saith, that he would obey sincerely, and could not; or that he would live without heinous sin, and could not. Indeed in his flesh he saith, there dwelleth no good thing; but that denieth not his spiritual power (who so often proposeth himself as an example to be imitated by those that he wrote to.) Thousands are deceived about their state, by taking every unffectual desire and wish, and every striving before they sin, to be a mark of saving grace: misunderstanding Mr. Perkins, and some others with him, who make a desire of grace, to be the grace it self, and a combat against the flesh, to be a sign of the renovation by the Spirit; whereas they mean only, such a