A26951:830
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.
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 ⟨p. 248⟩this is oftener expressed than the belief of the event; and when the belief of the event is extolled, it is because the belief of Christs Power is contained in it. [If thou canst believe, all things are possible, Ma•k 9.23. Not [all things shall come to pass] Mat. 9.28. The blind men came to him, and Jesus said, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, yea Lord▪ Then touched […] their eyes, saying, according to your faith be it unto you. So the Centurions faith is described as a belief of Christs Power, Mat. 8.7, 8, 9, 10, So is it in many other instances.
Answ. The reason of this was, because they had a special promise of the gift of miracles, as is exprest, 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