A26886:1114
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.
unless in the bent of their lives they overcome gross sin, and live not in it, and groan under their infirmities desiring to be rid of them feeling the need of a Saviour, and flying to his blood for pardon, and to his word and spirit for cure.] All this must be in every one at age, that will be saved. Now though we may be uncertain of a mans ungodliness by one or more such falls as Peters or Davids were, when the bent of his life appeareth to be holy; yet if the bent of your lives be carnal, and you have not all this that I have now mentioned, ⟨p. 335⟩then you may be sure that you are Graceless, though you never commit any scandalous sin; much more when you live in them. 2. And remember that you may know your own hearts and secret lives, when we cannot. Its no comfort to you therefore that a Minister is not certain of your Gracelessness, if you be indeed Graceless: what if we must hope the best, who know not the worst? alas this will be no relief to your souls.
unless in the bent of their lives they overcome gross sin, and live not in it, and groan under their infirmities desiring to be rid of them feeling the need of a Saviour, and flying to his blood for pardon, and to his word and spirit for cure.] All this must be in every one at age, that will be saved. Now though we may be uncertain of a mans ungodliness by one or more such fals as Peters or Davids were, when the bent of his life appeareth to be holy; yet if the bent of your lives be carnal, and you have not all this that I have now mentioned, ⟨p. 335⟩then you may be sure that you are Graceless, though you never commit any scandalous sin; much more when you live in them. 2. And remember that you may know your own hearts and secret lives, when we cannot. Its no comfort to you therefore that a Minister is not certain of your Gracelesness, if you be indeed Graceless: what if we must hope the best, who know not the worst? alas this will be no relief to your souls.
Nor should you be offended, if Ministers in preaching and personal reproof, do speak terror to you for all this: For 1. they preach to you as described in a graceless state and not named. 2. They must tell you what every sin deserves, and whither it leads, and tell you of the sad probabilities of your damnable state, though they have not a certainty.