A26883:1751
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
THE Second Part. OF GODS GOVERNMENT, AND MORAL WORKS. › Section 25: Degrees of falling, and danger.
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.
SECT. XXV. Degrees of falling, and danger.
343. Every degree of Grace that is true, is not to be supposed pr• portionable to the strongest Temptations: But God preserveth the weak effectually by keeping them from Temptations too strong for them. And that which a strong Christian overcometh might overcome a weak one, were he assaulted by it. Therefore to avoid and pray against Temptation, is the way to be delivered from evil.
343. Every degree of Grace that is true, is not to be supposed pr• portionable to the strongest Temptations: But God preserveth the weak effecttually by keeping them from Temptations too strong for them. And that which a strong Christian overcometh might overcome a weak one, were he assaulted by it. Therefore to avoid and pray against Temptation, is the way to be delivered from evil.
344. Yet the weakest true Christian, in choice, resolution and trial, forsaketh all for Christ, and loveth God, and preferreth Glory in Heaven before his Life, and is a Martyr in resolution. And yet there are Temptations *which are too strong for him: For 1. He that habitually preferreth God to the Creature and his life, may yet fall into such an act as Peter did; And by acting contrary to his habitual disposition and resolution, may weaken the habit, and forfeit Divine assistance, and deserve desertion. 2. And he that valueth Heaven and the love of God before his life, may yet by the nearness of an alluring Object, by the violence of sense and passion be drawn to a fleshly sin, and thinking that he may have the pleasure of that particular sin, without losing Gods love, he may be drawn first to less, and by degrees to greater. 3. And he that is resolved for God, and Glory, and Christ, and Holiness, may meet with such subtle Arguments of Infidels or Sensualists, which he is unable to answer, and consequently unable to overcome. And his Understanding being deceived, his Will may follow; so that perseverance must be by the avoiding of Temptations.