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spirit_n world_n write_v year_n 147 3 4.5208 3 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A27009 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 ... Baxter, Richard, 1615-1691. 1653 (1653) Wing B1373A; ESTC R17485 252,137 602

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your_o own_o understanding_n this_o pride_n have_v do_v that_o in_o church_n and_o state_n which_o all_o discern_a man_n be_v lament_v they_o that_o know_v but_o little_a see_v not_o what_o they_o want_v as_o well_o as_o what_o they_o have_v nor_o that_o imperfection_n in_o their_o knowledge_n which_o shall_v humble_v they_o nor_o that_o difficulty_n in_o thing_n which_o shall_v make_v they_o diligent_a and_o modest_a 7._o apprehend_v the_o necessity_n and_o usefulness_n of_o christ_n officer_n order_n and_o ordinance_n for_o the_o prosperity_n of_o his_o church_n pastor_n must_v guide_v you_o though_o not_o seduce_v you_o or_o lead_v you_o blindefold_o but_o choose_v if_o you_o may_v such_o as_o be_v judicious_a and_o not_o ignorant_a not_o rash_a but_o sober_a not_o formal_a but_o serious_a and_o spiritual_a not_o of_o carnal_a but_o heavenly_a conversation_n especial_o avoid_v they_o that_o divide_v and_o follow_v par●●es_n and_o seek_v to_o draw_v disciple_n to_o themselves_o &_o 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victory_n over_o the_o flesh_n and_o the_o world_n such_o apprehension_n of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n in_o christ_n such_o direction_n in_o every_o strait_a and_o duty_n that_o you_o live_v upright_o dye_v peaceable_o and_o reign_v glorious_o amen_n may_v 9_o 1653._o your_o servant_n in_o the_o faith_n and_o gospel_n of_o christ_n rich._n baxter_n to_o the_o poor_a in_o spirit_n my_o dear_o belove_a fellow-christians_a who_o soul_n be_v take_v up_o with_o the_o careful_a thought_n of_o attain_v and_o maintain_v peace_n with_o god_n who_o be_v vile_a in_o your_o own_o eye_n and_o value_v the_o blood_n and_o spirit_n and_o word_n of_o your_o redeemer_n and_o the_o hope_n of_o the_o saint_n in_o their_o approach_a blessedness_n before_o all_o the_o pomp_n and_o vanity_n of_o this_o world_n and_o resolve_v to_o give_v up_o yourselves_o to_o his_o conduct_n who_o be_v become_v the_o author_n of_o eternal_a salvation_n to_o all_o they_o that_o obey_v he_o for_o you_o do_v i_o publish_v these_o follow_a direction_n and_o to_o you_o it_o be_v that_o i_o direct_v this_o preface_n the_o only_a glorious_a and_o infinite_a god_n who_o make_v the_o world_n and_o uphold_v they_o by_o his_o word_n who_o be_v attend_v with_o million_o of_o his_o glorious_a angel_n and_o praise_v continual_o by_o his_o heavenly_a host_n who_o pull_v down_o the_o mighty_a from_o their_o seat_n and_o scatter_v the_o proud_a in_o the_o imagination_n of_o their_o heart_n and_o make_v his_o enemy_n lick_v the_o dust_n to_o who_o the_o king_n and_o conqueror_n of_o the_o earth_n be_v as_o the_o silly_a worm_n and_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v nothing_o and_o light_a than_o vanity_n which_o he_o will_v short_o turn_v into_o flame_n before_o your_o eye_n this_o god_n have_v send_v i_o to_o you_o with_o that_o joyful_a message_n which_o need_v no_o more_o but_o your_o believe_a entertainment_n to_o make_v
certain_a to_o perform_v answ_n 1._o i_o suppose_v you_o have_v read_v the_o many_o scripture_n and_o argument_n which_o our_o divine_n ordinary_o use_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o true_a believer_n shall_v not_o fall_v quite_o away_o and_o i_o know_v not_o how_o the_o opposer_n can_v answer_v that_o text_n which_o themselves_o use_v to_o allege_v for_o the_o contrary_a mat._n 13.6_o 21._o those_o that_o believe_v for_o a_o time_n and_o in_o the_o time_n of_o persecution_n fall_v away_o it_o be_v because_o the_o seed_n have_v not_o depth_n of_o earth_n the_o word_n never_o take_v root_a in_o their_o heart_n whence_o it_o seem_v that_o it_o may_v be_v well_o infer_v that_o those_o shall_v not_o fall_v away_o in_o time_n of_o temptation_n in_o who_o the_o word_n of_o god_n have_v take_v deep_a root_n and_o that_o be_v in_o they_o in_o who_o heart_n or_o will_n christ_n have_v a_o strong_a interest_n than_o the_o creature_n or_o those_o that_o have_v a_o well-grounded_n unreserved_a habituate_v or_o settle_v resolution_n to_o be_v for_o christ_n 2._o however_o your_o present_a resolution_n and_o your_o covenant_v with_o christ_n be_v no_o more_o but_o this_o to_o say_v i_o do_v consent_n or_o this_o i_o be_o resolve_v to_o do_v by_o the_o help_n of_o god_n grace_n 3._o else_o no_o man_n shall_v be_v baptise_a or_o become_v a_o christian_n because_o he_o be_v uncertain_a to_o keep_v his_o covenant_n for_o all_o that_o be_v baptise_a do_v covenant_n and_o vow_n to_o forsake_v the_o world_n flesh_n and_o devil_n and_o fight_v under_o christ_n banner_n to_o their_o life_n end_v understand_v i_o therefore_o that_o you_o be_v not_o to_o promise_v to_o do_v this_o by_o your_o own_o strength_n but_o by_o the_o strength_n of_o christ_n as_o know_v that_o he_o have_v promise_v his_o spirit_n and_o grace_n for_o the_o aid_n of_o every_o true_a believer_n 14._o if_o your_o resolution_n at_o present_a be_v hearty_a you_o ought_v not_o to_o vex_v and_o disquiet_v your_o mind_n with_o doubtful_a torment_a fear_n what_o you_o shall_v do_v if_o you_o be_v put_v to_o it_o to_o forsake_v all_o and_o suffer_v death_n for_o christ_n for_o he_o have_v promise_v to_o lay_v no_o more_o on_o we_o than_o we_o can_v bear_v but_o with_o the_o temptation_n will_v make_v we_o a_o way_n to_o come_v forth_o 1_o cor._n 10_o 13._o either_o he_o will_v not_o bring_v we_o into_o trial_n beyond_o our_o strength_n or_o else_o he_o will_v increase_v our_o strength_n according_a to_o our_o trial_n he_o have_v bid_v we_o pray_v lead_v we_o not_o into_o temptation_n but_o deliver_v we_o from_o evil_a and_o he_o have_v promise_v that_o whatsoever_o we_o ask_v in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n according_a to_o his_o will_n he_o will_v give_v we_o so_o that_o if_o once_o you_o can_v but_o true_o say_v that_o it_o be_v your_o full_a resolution_n to_o forsake_v all_o for_o christ_n if_o he_o call_v you_o to_o it_o and_o that_o on_o the_o forementioned_a ground_n you_o ought_v not_o then_o to_o vex_v your_o soul_n with_o fear_n of_o the_o issue_n for_o that_o be_v but_o to_o distrust_n god_n your_o father_n and_o your_o strength_n only_o you_o must_v be_v careful_a to_o do_v your_o duty_n to_o the_o keep_n up_o of_o your_o present_a resolution_n and_o to_o wait_v obedient_o on_o god_n for_o the_o help_n of_o his_o spirit_n and_o to_o beg_v it_o earnest_o at_o his_o hand_n 15._o much_o less_o be_v it_o lawful_a for_o man_n to_o feign_v and_o suppose_v such_o calamity_n to_o themselves_o as_o god_n do_v never_o try_v man_n by_o and_o then_o to_o ask_v themselves_o can_v i_o bear_v these_o for_o christ_n and_o so_o to_o try_v themselves_o on_o false_a and_o dangerous_a ground_n some_o use_n to_o be_v trouble_v lest_o if_o they_o be_v put_v to_o long_o and_o exquisite_a torment_n for_o christ_n they_o shall_v renounce_v he_o one_o say_v i_o can_v endure_v the_o torment_n of_o hell_n for_o christ_n another_o say_v can_v i_o endure_v to_o be_v roast_v or_o tear_v in_o piece_n so_o many_o week_n or_o day_n together_o or_o can_v i_o endure_v to_o die_v so_o many_o time_n over_o these_o be_v foolish_a sinful_a question_n which_o christ_n never_o desire_v you_o to_o put_v to_o yourselves_o he_o never_o try_v man_n faith_n on_o this_o manner_n tormentor_n can_v go_v beyond_o his_o will._n nay_o it_o be_v but_o very_o few_o that_o he_o try_v by_o death_n and_o few_o by_o a_o extreme_a torment_a death_n all_o this_o therefore_o proceed_v from_o error_n 16._o observe_v from_o the_o five_o mark_n that_o the_o present_a prevalency_n of_o your_o resolution_n now_o against_o those_o temptation_n which_o you_o encounter_v with_o may_v well_o encourage_v you_o to_o expect_v that_o they_o shall_v prevail_v hereafter_o if_o god_n bring_v you_o into_o great_a trial_n can_v you_o now_o follow_v christ_n in_o a_o holy_a life_n though_o your_o flesh_n repine_v and_o will_v have_v its_o liberty_n and_o pleasure_n and_o though_o the_o world_n deride_v or_o threaten_v you_o or_o great_a one_o turn_v against_o you_o and_o threaten_v your_o undo_n can_v you_o part_v with_o your_o money_n to_o the_o poor_a or_o to_o the_o promote_a of_o any_o work_n of_o christ_n according_a to_o the_o measure_n of_o estate_n that_o god_n have_v allot_v you_o notwithstanding_o all_o temptation_n to_o the_o contrary_a some_o trial_n you_o have_v now_o if_o you_o can_v go_v well_o through_o these_o you_o have_v no_o cause_n to_o disquiet_v your_o mind_n with_o fear_n of_o fall_v in_o great_a trial_n but_o he_o that_o can_v now_o deny_v his_o greedy_a appetite_n in_o meat_n and_o drink_v so_o far_o as_o to_o forbear_v excess_n nor_o can_v deny_v his_o credit_n with_o man_n nor_o bear_v the_o scorn_n or_o frown_n of_o the_o world_n but_o be_v on_o the_o strong_a side_n and_o decline_v his_o duty_n to_o avoid_v danger_n whatever_o become_v of_o conscience_n or_o god_n favour_n this_o man_n be_v not_o like_a to_o forsake_v and_o lay_v down_o his_o life_n for_o christ_n and_o his_o 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this_o by_o thy_o own_o experience_n and_o tell_v i_o when_o thou_o have_v most_o resolute_o follow_v christ_n in_o a_o good_a cause_n when_o thou_o have_v stand_v against_o the_o face_n of_o the_o great_a for_o god_n when_o thou_o have_v cast_v thy_o life_n thy_o family_n and_o estate_n upon_o christ_n and_o run_v thyself_o into_o the_o most_o apparent_a hazard_n for_o his_o sake_n have_v not_o thou_o come_v off_o with_o more_o inward_a peace_n and_o comfort_n than_o the_o cheap_a part_n of_o thy_o religion_n have_v afford_v thou_o when_o thou_o have_v stand_v to_o the_o truth_n and_o gospel_n and_o have_v do_v good_a through_o the_o great_a opposition_n and_o lose_v thy_o great_a and_o dear_a friend_n because_o thou_o will_v not_o forsake_v christ_n and_o his_o
but_o use_v these_o three_o distinction_n 1._o between_o the_o act_n of_o the_o mere_a rational_a faculty_n understanding_n and_o will_n called_z elicit_v act_n and_o the_o act_n of_o the_o inferior_a faculty_n of_o soul_n and_o body_n call_v imperate_a acts._n 2._o between_o the_o act_n that_o be_v about_o the_o end_n immediate_o and_o those_o that_o be_v about_o the_o mean_n 3._o between_o the_o intention_n of_o a_o act_n and_o the_o objective-extension_n and_o comparison_n of_o object_n with_o object_n and_o so_o i_o say_v 1._o the_o end_n that_o be_v god_n and_o salvation_n can_v be_v too_o full_o know_v or_o too_o much_o love_v with_o a_o pure_a rational_a love_n of_o complacency_n nor_o too_o much_o seek_v by_o the_o act_n of_o the_o soul_n as_o pure_o rational_a for_o the_o end_n be_v love_v and_o seek_v for_o itself_o and_o be_v of_o infinite_a goodness_n must_v be_v love_v and_o seek_v without_o measure_n or_o limitation_n it_o be_v impossible_a here_o to_o exceed_v prop._n 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much_o by_o over-honouring_a they_o as_o ever_o he_o do_v by_o persecute_v and_o despise_v they_o and_o now_o in_o england_n when_o this_o plot_n be_v descry_v and_o we_o have_v take_v down_o that_o superfluous_a honour_n as_o antichristian_a what_o do_v the_o devil_n but_o set_v in_o again_o on_o the_o other_o side_n and_o none_o be_v so_o zealous_a a_o reformer_n as_o he_o he_o cry_v down_o all_o as_o antichristian_a which_o he_o desire_v shall_v fall_v their_o tithe_n and_o maintenance_n be_v antichristian_a and_o oppressive_a o_o pious_a merciful_a devil_n down_o with_o they_o these_o church-land_n be_v give_v by_o papist_n to_o popish_a use_n to_o maintain_v bishop_n and_o dean_n and_o chapter_n down_o with_o they_o these_o colledge-land_n these_o cathedral_n nay_o these_o church-house_n or_o temple_n for_o so_o i_o will_v call_v they_o whether_o the_o devil_n will_v or_o no_o all_o come_v from_o idolater_n and_o be_v abuse_v to_o idolatry_n down_o with_o they_o nay_o think_v 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that_o to_o the_o question_n or_o deny_v your_o sincerity_n or_o right_a to_o salvation_n doubt_v x._o i_o have_v no_o gift_n to_o make_v i_o useful_a to_o myself_o or_o other_o when_o i_o shall_v profit_v by_o the_o word_n i_o can_v remember_v it_o when_o i_o shall_v reprove_v a_o sinner_n or_o instruct_v the_o ignorant_a i_o have_v not_o word_n if_o i_o be_v call_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o my_o faith_n i_o have_v not_o word_n to_o express_v that_o which_o as_o in_o my_o mind_n and_o what_o grace_n can_v here_o be_v then_o answer_n this_o need_v no_o long_a answer_n lament_v and_o amend_v those_o sin_n by_o which_o you_o have_v be_v disable_v but_o know_v that_o these_o gift_n depend_v more_o on_o nature_n art_n industry_n and_o common_a grace_n then_o upon_o special_a save_a grace_n many_o a_o bad_a man_n be_v excellent_a in_o all_o these_o and_o many_o a_o one_o that_o be_v true_o godly_a be_v defective_a where_o have_v god_n lay_v our_o salvation_n upon_o the_o strength_n 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against_o god_n mercy_n and_o christ_n merit_n do_v you_o think_v christ_n satisfaction_n be_v not_o sufficient_a or_o that_o he_o die_v for_o small_a sin_n and_o not_o for_o great_a do_v you_o not_o know_v that_o he_o have_v make_v satisfaction_n for_o all_o and_o will_v pardon_v all_o and_o have_v give_v out_o the_o pardon_n of_o all_o in_o his_o covenant_n and_o that_o to_o all_o man_n on_o condition_n they_o will_v accept_v christ_n to_o pardon_v and_o heal_v they_o in_o his_o own_o way_n have_v god_n make_v it_o his_o great_a design_n in_o the_o work_n of_o man_n redemption_n to_o make_v his_o love_n and_o mercy_n as_o honourable_a and_o wonderful_a as_o he_o do_v his_o power_n in_o the_o work_n of_o creation_n and_o will_v you_o after_o all_o this_o oppose_v the_o greatness_n of_o your_o sin_n against_o the_o greatness_n of_o this_o mercy_n and_o satisfaction_n why_o you_o may_v as_o well_o think_v yourself_o to_o be_v such_o a_o one_o that_o god_n can_v not_o or_o do_v not_o 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