Baxter - BT785 B39 1657

174 Vii eElionsforgetting and keeping f°lves. They perifb not for want Of a Saviour : but becaufe they would not lay hold on him, and follow him through the tempef'cs andwaves of trial. Nor can they quarrel with him becaufe he did more for others, and did not as much for them, as long as he offered them fo fahcient help, that only their own wilful refufal was their ruine, and their perdition was of themíclves. I conclude therefore, That feeing our Salvation is laid by Cod, upon our faithful obedient holding fart to Chrift through all trials and difficulties, and our holy fear is the means of that holding faff t hrift being fill the principal caufe of our fafety ) thereforenever look for fuch a Certainty of Salva. tion as (hall put you above fuch fears and mode- ratedapprehenfions of danger : For then its ten to one youwill lofe your hold. You read in Scripture very many warnings to take heed left we fall, and threatnings to thofe that do fall away and draw back. Vv hat are all thefe for, but to excite in us tlhofe moderate fears, and cares., and holy diligence, which may prevent our falling away. And remem- ber this, that there can be no fuch holy fears, and cares, and diligence, where there is no changer or poftibility of falling away ; for there canbe no Ad without its proper Objea : And the Objeti of fear is A poflìble hurt at leaf in the apprehenfion of him that feareth it. No man can fear that evil which he knoweth to be Impof able. D I RE

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=