Richard Baxter's Catholic theology plain, pure, peaceable, for pacification of the dogmatical word-warriors who,…Richard Baxter's Catholick theologie plain, pure, peaceable, for pacification of the dogmatical word-warriours who,…

If you speak of them who forsaking the Godliness of a Christian conversation and faith, do irrevocably pass over into profane errors and damnable manners, it's doubtless that having such a will, they will not be saved; and as long as they will not be saved, they cannot be saved. But it is by no means to be believed that such men fell into this desperate case by the will of God, when rather God lifteth up all that fall—For no man is raised or established but by his Grace. It is therefore Gods will that they continue in a good will; And he forsaketh ⟨p. 119⟩no man before that man forsake him, and converteth many that do forsake him. Obj. 8. That God will not have all Catholics to persevere in the Catholic faith, but will have a great part of them to apostatize from it. Resp. The same answer serveth to this blasphemy as to the former. Obj. 9. That God would have a great part of the Saints to fall from the purpose of holiness.^* Resp. This madness also needeth no other answer. Obj. 10. That Adulteries and corrupting consecrate Virgins do come to pass because God predestinated them to fall. Resp. It is a detestable and abominable opinion, which believeth God to be the author of any mans evil will or evil action: whose predestination (or decree) is never without Goodness and Justice^†. For all the ways of God are mercy and truth: Adulteries and Corruptions of Virgins God knoweth not how to institute, but to damn; not to dispose^*, but to punish. Which evils when men commit, they serve their own lusts—Gods predestination neither exciteth, persuadeth or impelleth the fall, malignity, or lusts of sinners; but plainly predestinateth his own Judgement, by which he will reward every one according to what he hath done, whether good or evil: which Judgement would never be, if men sinned by the will of God. But be it will: And every man whom the discerning of Gods knowledge shall set at his left hand, shall be damned, because he executed not Gods will, but his own. Obj. 11. When incest is committed between Fathers and their Daughters, Mothers and their Sons, it is therefore done, because so God fore-decreed that it should be done (or come to pass.) Resp.