A26883:3956
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.
B. There were much weight in what you say, but for that which you leave out: 1. That objective certainty may be separated from subjective certainty: that is, men may be uncertain of that which is certain in it self. 2. Yea few of the Godly have a strong assurance of their sincerity and Justification. 3. And no man in this life hath a perfect assurance, no more than other perfect Graces. 4. And every mans faith it self in Gods Promises and fidelity is imperfect. Therefore while all these are imperfect, and not only so, but liable to sad assaults, and interruptions, and decays. 5. Yea and the person liable to such heinous sins, as look terribly towards Apostasy, you cannot say that fear is needless. For though God decree the certainty of their perseverance, that proveth not that they are perfectly certain of it.
B. There were much weight in what you say, but for that which you leave out: 1. That objective certainty may be separated from subjective certainty: that is, men may be uncertain of that which is certain in it self. 2. Yea few of the Godly have a strong assurance of their sincerity and Justification. 3. And no man in this life hath a perfect assurance, no more than other perfect Graces. 4. And every mans faith it self in Gods Promises and fidelity is imperfect. Therefore while all these are imperfect, and not only so, but liable to sad assaults, and interruptions, and decays. 5. Yea and the person liable to such hainous sins, as look terribly towards Apostacy, you cannot say that fear is needless. For though God decree the certainty of their perseverance, that proveth not that they are perfectly certain of it.
A. But God will not found our Duty on our Sin, nor command men to fear, because through sinful weakness they do fear.
B. God will not make our Sin to be our Duty, (in sensu conjuncto). 1. But God will make Duty on supposition that Sin maketh it necessary. If you sin, God will make sorrow and confession your Duty, which would else be none. 2. Yea more, the same Act may be a Duty and a Sin in several respects. And so may fear of Hell be.