A26883:1732
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.
328. Therefore few Christians have Assurance at the first (or of a considerable time;) because few are strong at first.
329. Yea, therefore few ever attain to certainty who are sincere, because most are still weak, and few come to strength and a great degree, and to much activity, and great conquest of all the contrary Sins, of heart and life.
330. This being the case about certainty of Justification; as to the certainty of perseverance might a man judge by the conveniences, of the truth, it would draw us to think that the middle way of the Dominicans and some others were the right: viz. 1. That the least degree (or first) of true saving Grace is sometimes lost finally and such perish; But 2. That they who obtain confirming Grace, by a greater degree do never lose it. For so the Angels and Adam fell from the first degrees for want of Confirmation: And many think (though it is not proved) that had they overcome in the first (or some more) trial, they should have had confirming Grace for a reward. And the good Angels are confirmed (whether by reward or mere gift or nature we know not). 2. This would save Christians from that uncomfortable thought [I must go further th•• ever such and such a one did who fell away, and had lived strictly and suffered patiently, or else I cannot be saved. For if this be true, a man may be saved who goeth no further, or not so far as some have done that sell away. 3. This will keep men from security and presumption, in a state of weakness, and keep them in a necessary fear of falling away; ⟨p. 113⟩that they may avoid it. 4. And yet it provideth a certainty of perseverance and Salvation, for strong Christians who are (and perhaps they only) fit for it and capable of it. 5. And it tendeth thereby to make men long for, and press towards a strong confirmed state. I only say that if this Doctrine be or were true, it hath or would have these conveniences.