The Practical Works of Richard Baxter (Volume 13); With a Life of the Author and a Critical Examination of His Writings by William Orme (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1830. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... engaged with them against their enemies, and to do their works, and answer their desires How can any of them perish when the Almighty is engaged for their salvation " The Father is greater than all, and none shall take them out of his hands." (John x. 29.) How glad would men be in the beginning of a war, to know which side will prove the stronger, that they may join with that. Can the side that God is on be conquered ? If you are wise, observe what cause is his, and let that be yours. " It is hard to kick against the pricks." Woe to those souls that the Almighty is against, and that dash themselves on the Rock that they should build on. CHAP. VIII. 7. The next attribute that must work upon us, is the Infinite Wisdom or Omniscience of God. " His understanding is infinite." (Psal. cxlvii. 5.) And the impressions that this should make upon our souls, are these: 1. Delight in wisdom, that you may in your places be like to God. The new man is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." (Col. iii. 10.) If God be infinitely wise, those then are the most excellent that are the wisest. Ignorance is the soul's blindness, and the privation of the image of God on the understanding. " Wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness." (Eccles. ii. 13.) To desire, as Adam did, any of that knowledge that God hath reserved to himself, or is unnecessary for us, is not indeed to be wise in our desires: unnecessary knowledge is but a trouble. But to know the Lord, and his revealed will, and the way of life, is the light and glory of our minds. He that hath lost his eyesight, hath lost his principal natural delight, and is as one out of the world while he is in it. And the ignorant souls that are void of the heavenly illumination, must needs be void ...