A26886:109
Certain disputations of right to sacraments, and the true nature of visible Christianity defending…
Certain disputations of right to sacraments, and the true nature of visible Christianity defending them against several sorts of opponents, especially against the second assault of that pious, reverend and dear brother Mr. Thomas Blake / by Richard Baxter ...
London: printed by R.W. for Nevil Simmons, 1658
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.
Arg. 2. The Law of Nature, which is the ground of humane converse, requireth that we believe men, till they have apparently forfeited their Credit; therefore so we must do here: and therefore must take their Profession as a sign of the thing Professed; and consequently valid.
Deny the Antecedent, and you must overthrow all Communities and Societies, which is contrary to Gods Will revealed in Scripture, and in Nature: They that will not believe others, must not expect that others should believe them; and so humane Converse will be overthrown, and all men must live by themselves, or live as enemies, in constant diffidence of each other.
Obj But wicked men have forfeited their Credit; and therefore their word is not to be taken.
Answ. They have not made such a total forfeiture (quâ wicked) as to warrant our unbelief For 1. There are such remnants of Common honesty in mans Nature, that commonly makes a Lye to be odious, and a matter apparently evil among unconverted men. 2. They Profess themselves to be turned from their Wickedness; and therefore you cannot refuse Credit to them upon the supposition of their wickedness which they disclaim, without proof. 3. The Apostles took their Profession who within a few hours before had been persecutors, and guilty of the murder of the Lord of life: therefore a mans wickedness before, is not enough to invalidate his following Profession of true faith, repentance, and reformation.