A26951:816
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 5: Directions how to live by Faith upon Gods Promises.
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. 7. Be sure to understand Gods Promises aright, that you expect not that which he never promised, and take not presumption to be Faith.
Many do make promises to themselves by misunderstanding, and look that God should fulfil them: and if any of them be not fulfilled, they are ready to suspect the truth of God. And thus men become false Prophets to themselves and others, and speak words in the Name of the Lord, which he hath never spoken, and incur much of the guilt, which God oft chargeth on false Prophets, and such as add to the Word of God. It is no small fault to father an untruth on God, and to call that his Promise which he never made.
Direct. 8. Think not that God promiseth you all that you desire or think you want, in bodily things.
It is not our own desires which he hath made the measure of his outward gifts; no nor of our own Opinion of our Necessity neither: else most men would have nothing but riches, and ⟨p. 245⟩health, and love, and respect from men; and few would have any want, or pain, or suffering. But it is so much as is good 1. To the common ends of Government, and the Societies with which we live. 2. And to our souls, which God doth promise to his own. And his Wisdom, and not their partial conceits, shall be the Judge. Our Father knoweth what we need, and therefore we must cast our care on him, and take not too particular nor anxious thoughts for our selves,