A26883:3974
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. The truth is, assurance of Justification and Salvation is not easily nor commonly attained: And it is not Opinions alone that will procure it: And while we have that sin and weakness, which is the cause of doubts, which Opinion soever we hold, we shall find occasion for our doubtings: But let us hear your second part of the Accusation.
A. II. They hold that if any man fall away, by what temptation soever, it is because he was never sincere: And consequently that he is not sin•ers, that would fall away by the strongest temptation that possibly may assault him. So that every poor weak Christian, whose Infant-strength is not proportioned to the greatest temptations, must needs take himself to be still but an Hypocrite.
B. We stand not by our own strength of habitual Grace, but by the upholding Love and Will of God.*
- *Carbo ex Aquin. 1. 2. q. 137. a. 4. Si persev• rantia sumatur pro ipso habitu, indiget dono habitualis gratiae, ut caeterae virtutes infusae; si autem accipiatur pro actu perseverantiae durante usque ad mortem, non jolum indiget habituali gratia, sed etiam gratuito Dei auxilio conservante hominem in bono—praedestinatis per gratiam Christi, non solum datur ut perseverare possint, sed ut perseverent, ut Augustin. Per se potest perseverare in malo, non autem in bono. Bradwardine who holdeth that no temptation can be overcome without special help, that is, a divine Volition or Decree, doth yet hold that the same Will of God which saveth one man by overcoming his temptations, saveth others by keeping temptations from them.