A25467:1452
A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practically resolvedA Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practicaly resolved
A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practically resolved by sundry ministers in October, 1682.A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practicaly resolved by sundry ministers in October, 1682.
London: printed by J.A. for John Dunton, 1683
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.
XVI. Certainty of our Faith and Sincerity is not necessary to Salvation, but the Sincerity of faith it self is necessary. He shall be saved that giveth up himself to Christ, though he know not that he is sincere in doing it. Christ knoweth his own Grace, when they that have it, know not that it is sound. It is but few true Christians that attain to certainty of Salvation; for weak Grace clogged with much Corruption, is hardly known, and usually joined with fear and doubting.
XVI. Certainty of our Faith and Sincerity is not necessary to Salvation, but the Sincerity of faith it self is necessary. He shall be saved that giveth up himself to Christ, though he know not that he is sincere in doing it. Christ knoweth his own Grace, when they that have it, know not that it is sound. It is but few true Christians that attain to certainty of Salvation; for weak Grace clogged with much Corruption, is hardly known, and usually joyned with fear and doubting.
XVII. Probability of Sincerity and Trust in Christ, may cause a man justly to live and die in Peace and Comfort, without proper certainty; else few Christians should live and die in peace; and yet we see by experience that many do so. The common Opinion of most Church-writers for 400 years after Christ, was, that the uncontinued sort of Christians might fall from a state of Grace, in which had they continued, they had been saved, and therefore that none but strong confirmed Christians at most could be certain of Salvation: and many Protestant Churches still are of that mind, and yet they live not in despair or terror. No man is certain that he shall not fall as heinously as David and Peter did; and yet while they have no cause to think it likely, they need not live in terror for the uncertainty. No Wife or Child is certain that the Husband or Father will not murder them, and yet they may live comfortably, and not fear it.