A27016:688
A saint or a brute the certain necessity and excellency of holiness, &c. ...…
A saint or a brute the certain necessity and excellency of holiness, &c. ... / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by R.W. for Francis Tyton, 1662
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
1. And that HOLINESS IS THE SAFEST WAY, I prove thus. 1. That man is in a safer state that is delivered from the power of Satan, then he that is in his bondage, ⟨p. 197⟩and taken captive by him at his will. But all the unsanctified are in this captivity, and all the sanctified are delivered out of it; as the Scripture most expressly tells us, Ephes. 2. 1, 2. 3 [And you hath be quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the Prince of the Power of the air, the Spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: among whom we also bad our conversation in times past, in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh, and of the mind, &c.] So 2 Tim. 2. 25, 26. [In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves, if God eradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth, and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the Devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.] And Acts 26. 17, 18. [I send thee to open their eyes, and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God.] And Col. 1. 13. [Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son.] Satan is the Ruler and the Jailer of the ungodly, that leadeth them to sin, and so to destruction, and keepeth them for torments at the day of wrath. And is he safe that is in the Devils power? If he should appear to thee, and lay hold of thee, thou wouldst not think that thou were safe. But his possession of thy soul is far more dangerous. Thou dost not believe that thou art in his power: But thy blindness showeth it; and thy enmity to the way of Holiness showeth it; and thy ungodly life doth fully show it; and the Scripture affirmeth it of all such: and what need there any further proof? But the sanctified are all delivered from this slavery; and though the Devil may rage against them, he shall not prevail.
1. And that HOLINESS IS THE SAFEST WAY, I prove thus. 1. That man is in a safer state that is delivered from the power of Satan, then he that is in his bondage,