A26951:778
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 4: Directions how to exercise Faith upon Gods Commandments, for Duty.
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.
You may think perhaps that if you were excused from many duties of Charity and Justice, in Ministry, Magistracy, or a more private state, it would be no harm to your selves. But suppose it were so, must not others be regarded? If God should regard but one, why should it fall to your lot rather than ⟨p. 235⟩to another's? And why should any others be bound to use Justice or Charity to you any more than you to them? There is no member of the body politic or ecclesiastic, which will not receive more good to it self, by the Laws of Communion, if truly practised, than it can do to others. For you are but one who are bound to be charitable and do good to others, and that but according to your own ability: But it may be hundreds or thousands who may be all bound to do good to you. You have the vital influences, and assistances of all the parts: you have the prayers of all the Christians in the world.
You may think perhaps that if you were excused from many duties of Charity and Justice, in Ministry, Magistracy, or a more private state, it would be no harm to your selves. But suppose it were so, must not others be regarded? If God should regard but one, why should it fall to your lot rather than ⟨p. 235⟩to anothers? And why should any others be bound to use Justice or Charity to you any more than you to them? There is no member of the body politick or ecclesiastick, which will not receive more good to it self, by the Laws of Communion, if truly practised, than it can do to others. For you are but one who are bound to be charitable and do good to others, and that but according to your own ability: But it may be hundreds or thousands who may be all bound to do good to you. You have the vital influences, and assistances of all the parts: you have the prayers of all the Christians in the world.
Suppose that the Laws were made to secure your selves of your estate and lives; but to leave the estates and lives of your children to the will of any one that hath a will to wrong them; would you be content with such kind of Laws as these? And why should not others good be secured, as well as your posterities?