A26951:820
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. 9. Think not that God promiseth you all that you will ask; no not that which he commandeth you to ask; unless it agree with his promising will, as well as with his commanding will.
That promise of Christ, Ask and ye shall receive, &c. And whatsoever you ask the Father in my Name, according to his will, he will give it you, are often misunderstood: and there is some difficulty in understanding what Will of God is here meant: If it be his Decreeing Will, that is secret, and the promise giveth us no sure consolation: If it be meant of his Promising Will, what use is this general promise for, if we must have a particular promise also for all that we can expect? If it be meant of his Commanding Will, the event notoriously gainsayeth it: For it is most certain, that since the Church hath long prayed for the conversion of the Infidel world, and the reforming of the corrupted Churches, &c. it is not yet done: And it is all Christians duty, to pray for Kings, and all in Authority; and to ask that wisdom and grace for them which God doth seldom give them. And all Parents who are bound to pray for grace for their children, do not speed according to their prayers.
That promise of Christ, Ask and ye shall receive, &c. And whatsoever you ask the Father in my Name, according to his will, he will give it you, are often misunderstood: and there is some d•fficulty in understanding what Will of God is here meant: If it be his Decreeing Will, that is secret, and the promise giveth us no sure consolation: If it be meant of his Promising Will, what use is this general promise for, if we must have a particular promise also for all that we can expect? If it be meant of his Commanding Will, the event notoriously gainsayeth it: For it is most certain, that since the Church hath long prayed for the conversion of the Infidel world, and the reforming of the corrupted Churches, &c. it is not yet done: And it is all Christians duty, to pray for Kings, and all in Authority; and to ask that wisdom and grace for them which God doth seldom give them. And all Parents who are bound to pray for grace for their children, do not speed according to their prayers.