A26883:1731
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.
327. I conclude therefore that certainty of Justification and sincerity is not the lot of the weakest or weaker sort of Christians, but of the strong confirmed Christians only. By weak Christians, I mean not those that have weakest natural parts and common gifts (as Learning, Memory, Utterance, &c.) But those that have the weakest Faith, Hope, Love, Humility, &c. For Grace is not certainly discernible. 1. In the least degree. 2. When it is little in action. 3. When it is much clouded and oft 1conquered by its contrary: But only when, 1. It is strong and in a good degree, 2. And much in act, 3. And conquereth opposition.
327. I conclude therefore that certainty of Justification and sincerity is not the lot of the weakest or weaker sort of Christians, but of the strong confirmed Christians only. By weak Christians, I mean not those that have weakest natural parts and common gifts (as Learning, Memory, Utterance, &c.) But those that have the weakest Faith, Hope, Love, Humility, &c. For Grace is not certainly discernable. 1. In the least degree. 2. When it is little in action. 3. When it is much clouded and oft 1conquered by its contrary: But only when, 1. It is strong and in a good degree, 2. And much in act, 3. And conquereth opposition.
- 1I wonder that worthy Deodate, and Tronchinus in their suffrages at Dort say, pag. 49, 50. Notitiam, sensum, certitudinem istius Decreti Deus electis in hac vita largitur modo, mensura, tempore quo ipsi placet: Ncc ullus est electus, qui aetate rationis capace non ante mortem, certissiman istius decreti persuasionem per Spiritum Sanctum accipiat. I hope they mean but an effect objectively certain. The many Texts cited by them, else prove it not.
328. Therefore few Christians have Assurance at the first (or of a considerable time;) because few are strong at first.