A26951:825
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.
And as to the Objections in the beginning, I answer, 1. Where only Gods decreeing Will is the measure of the matter to be granted, the text intendeth not to us a particular assurance of the thing; but the comfort that we and our prayers are accepted, and they shall be granted if it be not such a thing, as God in his wisdom and eternal counsel, hath secretly determined not to do. As if you pray for the conversion of the Kingdom of China, of Japan, of Indostan, of Tartary, &c.
And as to the Objections in the beginning, I answer, 1. Where only Gods decreeing Will is the measure of the matter to be granted, the text intendeth not to us a particular assurance of the thing; but the comfort that we and our prayers are accepted, and they shall be granted if it be not such a thing, as God in his wisdom and eternal counsel, hath secretly determined not to do. As if you pray for the conversion of the Kingdom of China, of Japon, of Indostan, of Tartary, &c.
And 2. Where Gods Promise hath given us security of the thing in particular; yet this general promise, and our prayer, are neither of them in vain. For 1. The general promise ⟨p. 247⟩doth both confirm our Faith in general, which is a help to us in each particular case; and also it directeth us to Christ as the means, in whose name we are to ask all things of the Father; and assureth us, that it is for his sake that God doth fulfil those particular promises to us. 2. And prayer in his Name, is the condition, way or means of the fulfilling them.
And 2. Where Gods Promise hath given us securi•y of the thing in particular; yet this general promise, and our prayer, are neither of them in vain. For 1. The general promise ⟨p. 247⟩doth both confirm our Faith in general, which is a help to us in each particular case; and also it directeth us to Christ as the means, in whose name we are to ask all things of the Father; and assureth us, that it is for his sake that God doth fulfil those particular promises to us. 2. And prayer in his Name, is the condition, way or means of the fulfilling them.