A27004:1372
The reasons of the Christian religion the first part, of godliness, proving by natural…
The reasons of the Christian religion the first part, of godliness, proving by natural evidence the being of God ... : the second part, of Christianity, proving by evidence supernatural and natural, the certain truth of the Christian belief ... / by Richard Baxter ... ; also an appendix defending the soul's immortality against the Somatists or Epicureans and other pseudo-philosophers.
London: printed by R. White for Fran. Titon, 1667
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.
5. And I entreat all that read this, further to observe, the great use and advantage of this testimony above others: in that it is continued from Generation to Generation, and not as the gift and testimony of Miracles, which continued plentifully but one Age, and with diminution somewhat after: this is Christ's witness to the end of the world, in every Country, and to every Soul: yea, and continually dwelling in them: For if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his, Rom. 8.9. He that is not able to examine the History which reporteth the Miracles to him, may be able to find upon his Soul the Image of God imprinted by the Gospel, and to know that the Gospel hath that Image in it self which it imprinteth upon others; and that it cometh from God, which leadeth men so directly unto God; and that it is certainly his own means which he blesseth to so great and excellent ends.
6. Note also, that part of the work of the Spirit of God in succeeding the Doctrine of Jesus Christ, doth consist in the effectual production of Faith it self: for though the work be wrought by the Reasons of the Gospel, and the Evidences of Truth; yet is it also wrought by the Spirit of God, concurring ⟨p. 295⟩with that evidence, and as the internal Efficient, exciting the sluggish faculties to do their office, and illustrating the understanding, and fitting the will to entertain the truth: for the difficulties are so great, and the temptations to unbelief so subtle and violent, and our own indisposedness through corruption, the greatest impediment of all, that the bare Word alone would not produce a belief of that lively vigorous nature, as is necessary to its noble effects and ends, without the internal co-operation of the Spirit. So that Christ doth not only teach us the Christian Faith and Religion, but doth give it us, and work it in us by his Spirit. And he that can do so, doth prove the Divine approbation of his Doctrine, without which, he could not have the command of mens Souls.