A27004:668
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.
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.
Obj. But we see the Creature, but God we see not, and we find it not natural to us to love that which we do not see.
Answ. Is not Reason a nobler faculty than sight? if it be,1 why should it not more rule you, and dispose of you? Shall no Subjects honour and obey their King but those that see him? You can love your money, and land, and friends when they are out of sight.