A27009:156
The right method for a settled peace of conscience, and spiritual comfort in 32…
The right method for a settled peace of conscience, and spiritual comfort in 32 directions : written for the use of a troubled friend / and now published by Richard Baxter ...
London: printed for T. Underhil, 1653
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.
4. Though God have not flatly engaged himself to unbelievers, so as to give them a certainty of hearing their prayers, and giving them true Grace on the improvement of their naturals, yet he hath not only appointed them this and other means to get Grace, but also given them half promises, or strong probabilities of speeding, so much as may be a sufficient encouragement to any such sinner to call on God and use his Means. For as he appointeth not any vain Means to man, so no man can name that man who did improve his naturals to the utmost, and in particular, sought God in prayer so far as a natural man may do, who yet mist of Grace and was rejected (This is the true mean between Pelagianism and Antinomianism in this point.)
4. Though God have not flatly engaged himself to unbelievers, so as to give them a certainty of hearing their prayers, and giving them true Grace on the improvement of their naturals, yet he hath not only appointed them this and other means to get Grace, but also given them half promises, or strong probabilities of speeding, so much as may be a sufficient encouragement to any such sinner to call on God and use his Means. For as he appointeth not any vain Means to man, so no man can name that man who did improve his naturals to the utmost, and in particular, sought God in prayer so far as a natural man may do, who yet mist of Grace and was rejected (This is the true mean between Pelagianisme and Antinomianisme in this point.)
5. When God calls unbelievers to Prayer, he withal calls them to Believe: and when ⟨p. 63⟩he works their heart to Prayer by that call, he usually withal works them to Believe, or at least towards believing. If he that was unwilling to have Christ, do pray God to make him willing, it is a beginning of willingness already, and the way to get more willingness. In Prayer God useth to give in the thing prayed for, of this kind.
5. When God calls unbelievers to Prayer, he withall calls them to Believe: and when