A27009:83
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.
8. And hereupon you would have more humble familiarity and communion with God: For Love, Delight and frequent addresses would overcome strangeness and disacquaintance, which make us fly from God, as a Fish, or Bird, or wild beast will from the face of a man, and would give us access with ⟨p. 22⟩boldness and confidence. And this would banish sadness and terror, as the Sun dispelleth darkness and cold.
8. And hereupon you would have more humble familiarity and communion with God: For Love, Delight and frequent addresses would overcome strangeness and disacquaintance, which make us fly from God, as a Fish, or Bird, or wild beast will from the face of a man, and would give us access with ⟨p. 22⟩boldness and confidence. And this would banish sadness and terrour, as the Sun dispelleth darkness and cold.
9. At least you would hence have this advantage, That the fixed apprehension of Gods Goodness and merciful nature, would cause a fixed apprehension of the Probability of your Happiness, as long as you are willing to be Happy in Gods way. For reason will tell you, that he who is Love it self, and whose Goodness is equal to his Almightiness, and who hath sworn, that he hath no pleasure in the death of a sinner, but rather that he repent and live, will not destroy a poor soul that lieth in submission at his feet, and is so far from resolved rebellion against him, that it grieveth that it is no better and can please him no more.
9. At least you would hence have this advantage, That the fixed apprehension of Gods Goodness and mercifull nature, would cause a fixed apprehension of the Probability of your Happiness, as long as you are willing to be Happy in Gods way. For reason will tell you, that he who is Love it self, and whose Goodness is equal to his Almightiness, and who hath sworn, that he hath no pleasure in the death of a sinner, but rather that he repent and live, will not destroy a poor soul that lyeth in submission at his feet, and is so far from resolved rebellion against him, that it grieveth that it is no better and can please him no more.