A26951:828
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. 10. Think not that God promiseth you all that you do believe that you shall receive, when you ask it; though it be with never so confident an expectation.
Direct. 10. Think not that God prom•seth you all that you do believe that you shall receive, when you ask it; though it be with never so confident an expectation.
This is a more common error than the former: Many think that if the thing be but lawful which they pray for, much more if it be their duty to pray for it, then a particular belief that they shall receive it, is the condition of the promise, and therefore that they shall certainly receive it. As if they pray for the recovery of one that is sick, or for the conversion of one that is unconverted, and can but believe that it shall be done, they think God is then obliged by promise to do it, Mark 9.23. If thou canst believe, all things are possible. And 11.23, 24. Whosoever shall say to this Mountain, Be thou removed, &c. and shall not doubt in his heart, but believe, &c. Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire when ye pray▪ believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
This is a more common errour than the former: Many think that if the thing be but lawful which they pray for, much more if it be their duty to pray for it, then a particular belief that they shall receive it, is the condition of the promise, and therefore that they shall certainly receive it. As if they pray for the recovery of one that is sick, or for the conversion of one that is unconverted, and can but believe that it shall be done, they think God is then obliged by promise to do it, Mark 9.23. If thou canst believe, all things are possible. And 11.23, 24. Whosoever shall say to this Mountain, Be thou removed, &c. and shall not doubt in his heart, but believe, &c. Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire when ye pray believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.