A27004:666
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. What say you to all them that are otherwise minded, and that take the Love of God for their work and happiness? They find a suitableness in God to their highest esteem and love; and are they not as fit Judges for the affirmative, as you for the negative?
Obj. They do but force themselves to some acts of fancy.
Answ. You see that they are such acts as are the more serious and prevalent in their lives, and can make them lay by other pleasures, and spend their days in seeking God, and lay down their lives in the exercise and hopes of Love. And that it is you that follow fancy, and they that follow solid reason, is evident in the reason of your several ways. That world which you set above God is at last called Vanity by all that try it: Reason will not finally justify your choice: but I have here showed you undeniable reason for their choice and love; and therefore it is they that know what they do, and obey the Law of Nature, which you obliterate and contradict.
Answ. You see that they are such acts as are the more serious and prevalent in their lives, and can make them lay by other pleasures, and spend their days in seeking God, and lay down their lives in the exercise and hopes of Love. And that it is you that follow fancy, and they that follow solid reason, is evident in the reason of your several ways. That world which you set above God is at last called Vanity by all that try it: Reason will not finally justifie your choice: but I have here shewed you undeniable reason for their choice and love; and therefore it is they that know what they do, and obey the Law of Nature, which you obliterate and contradict.