A26951:832
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.
Object. But what if they had only doubted of Christs Will? Answ. If they had doubted of his will in cases where he never expressed his will, they could not indeed have been certain of the event (for that is contrary to the doubt.) But they could not have charged Christ with any breach of promise; and therefore could not themselves have been charged with any unbelief. (For it is no unbelief to doubt of that will which never was revealed.) But if they had doubted of his revealed will concerning the event, they had then charged him with falsehood, and had sinned against him, as ill as those who deny his power.
Object. But what if they had only doubted of Christs Will? Answ. If they had doubted of his will in cases where he never exprest his will, they could not indeed have been certain of the event (for that is contrary to the doubt.) But they could not have charged Christ with any breach of promise; and therefore could not themselves have been charged with any unbelief. (For it is no unbelief to doubt of that will which never was revealed.) But if they had doubted of his revealed will concerning the event, they had then charged him with falshood, and had sinned against him, as ill as those who deny his power.
And the large experience of this our age, confuteth this foresaid error of a particular belief: For we have abundance of instances of good people who were thus mistaken, and have ventured thereupon to conclude with confidence, that such a sick person shall be healed, and such a thing shall come to pass; when over and over the event hath proved contrary, and brought such confidence into contempt, upon the failing of it.
And the large experience of this our age, confuteth this foresaid errour of a particular belief: For we have abundance of instances of good people who were thus mistaken, and have ventured thereupon to conclude with confidence, that such a sick person shall be healed, and such a thing shall come to pass; when over and over the event hath proved contrary, and brought such confidence into contempt, upon the failing of it.