Baxter - Houston-Packer Collection BT770 .B39 1670

The Life of Faith. ad (or forbearance) fo that man could doit without any other grace or helpfrom God (which fuppofeth that mans will in the Nature of it, hath Inch a vital, free, felt-determining power, that (fometimes at leaft) it can alit, ornot ad, when fuch bare power is given to it) and fometimes doth,and Come- times doth not. But the word [neceffary] is more proper than [ [ f cicnt :] The latter being applicable -to leverai de- grees but [nec:pry) figniflcth that degree, without which the Atli cannot be performed. That there is Inch a thing, is evident in Adams cafc, who had that grace which was pucefary to his forbearing the fielt fin (orelk farewell all Religion.) And there are few men will denybut that all men bave ftill fuch a degree ofhelp for manyduties which they do not perform and againtt manyfins which they do not forbear (as to forbar an oath, or a lye, or a cup of drink, to go to Church when theygo to an Ale- houfe, &c.) Such a thing therefore there is, and fuch a power mans will bath to do or not do, when fuch a degree only of help is given. Therefore we have reafon enough to fuppofc a. That fuch a degreedf the Spirits help is given under the bare Teachings ofthe Creature, or to them that have no outward light but na- tural revelation, as is necrffary to the forefaid ends and ufcs of that Light or Means, that is, to convince man that there ie a God, and what be ie, as aforefaid, and that we arc his fubjelis and beneficiaries, and owe him our cbiofft love add fervice a and to convince them of the needofCome further fupernatura! revelation. Not that every one bath this meafurc of jpiritna! help , for force by abufing the help which they have, to learn the Alphabet of Nature, or to pradifc it, do forfeit that help which thould bring them into Natures higher forms. But fo much as I have mentioned of the help of the Spirit is given to thole that do not groíly forfeit it by abufe, among the Pagans of the world t And fo much multitudes have attained. 2. And fo much of the Spirit was given ordinarily to the .1ews, as was fufficient tohave enabled them to believe in the Meffiah to corne, as aforefaid.; if they did not wilfully rejc'& this help. 3. And Co much fetmeth to be given topeso that he*r Ccc a the 3 1

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