A26951:829
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.
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.
Answ. The reason of this was, because they had a special promise of the gift of miracles, as is expressed, Mark 16.17, 18. And even this text is such a particular promise: For the spirit of miracles was then given to confirm the Gospel, and gather the first Churches, and Faith was the condition of them: Or the Spirit, when ever he would work a miracle, would first work an extraordinary Faith to prepare for it. And yet if you examine well the particular texts, which speak of this subject, you shall find that as it was the doubt of the divine Authority of Christs testimony, and of his own real power which was the unbelief of those times; so it was the belief of his Authority and Power, which was the Faith required: and