A26883:1627
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,…
Richard Baxter's Catholic theology plain, pure, peaceable, for pacification of the dogmatical word-warriors who, 1. by contending about things unrevealed or not understood, 2. and by taking verbal differences for real,Richard Baxter's Catholick theologie plain, pure, peaceable, for pacification of the dogmatical word-warriours who, 1. by contending about things unrevealed or not understood, 2. and by taking verbal differences for real,
London: printed by Robert White for Nevill Simmons, 1675
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.
260. And though it were a far more joyful state to have proper certainty, yet reason and experience in other cases tell us, that without certainty a man may live a joyful and peaceable life, where probability is strong enough to remove all reasonable cause of fearfulness, though there be a possibility of the worst. As we see that men in youth and health, though they may possibly die, or fall into torments the next hour, yet do not therefore cast off comfort, and live in such trouble as they would do if they had probable cause to expect it. There is no wife living is certain that her own Husband will not murder her the next night; nor no Child certain that the Parents will not cast them off or kill them; nor no Friend certain that his dearest Friend will not do so; And yet few but melancholy people will therefore take up sorrow, and cast ⟨p. 94⟩away all their comfort in life and peace, and in these Friends: Even these persons are their trust and joy. There is no man sure but he may be executed among Malefactors: And yet while there is no reason to expect it, a man may live a comfortable life. There is no man certain that he himself shall not fall into a particular crime of Murder, Theft, Perjury, or the like; And yet we live not therefore uncomfortably. For mens affections follow the powerfullest cause.
261. Hence also I conclude, that certainly the denial of certainty of persevering, and Salvation is not a thing that should break the love, peace or concord of the Christian Churches, or for which they should cast off or revile each other. For what sober man could do so by all those that I have instanced in.
262. It is a shameful self-delusion of some Disputers, who think when they have once believed that certainty of Salvation may be had, that they are then certain themselves, or next to certain of their own Salvation. But he that hath no more certainty to be rich, or healthful, tha to believe that Health and Riches may be got, is far from having them.