A26951:855
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. 18. Take heed of making promises to seem instead of precepts; as if you were to do that your selves, which God hath promised that he will do.
If God promise to deliver his Church, or to free any of his servants from trouble or persecution, you must have a precept to tell you what is your own duty, and what means you must use, before you m•st attempt your own deliverance. What God will do, is one thing; and what you must do, is another. This hath been the strange delusion of the people that call themselves the Fifth-Monarchy men in our times; who believing that Christ will set up righteousness, and pull down Tyrants in the earth, have thought that therefore they must do it by arms; and so have been drawn into many rebellions, to the scandal of others, and their own ruin.
If God promise to deliver his Church, or to free any of his servants from trouble or persecution, you must have a precept to tell you what is your own duty, and what means you must use, before you m•st attempt your own deliverance. What God will do, is one thing; and what you must do, is another. This hath been the strange delusion of the people that call themselves the Fifth-Monarchy men in our times; who believing that Christ will set up righteousness, and pull down Tyrants in the earth, have thought that therefore they must do it by arms; and so have been drawn into many rebellions, to the scandal of others, and their own ruine.
Direct. 19. Take heed of mistaking Prophecies for Promises; especially dark Prophecies not understood.