A26886:649
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.
8. In all such Cases our Actions must follow the smallest prevalent persuasions of our Judgement, though far short of full Assurance. If a true Believer do think himself to be such, he may profess himself such: When so far as he knoweth his own heart, he doth believe and repent, he may profess that he doth believe and repent, implying or expressing that he speaketh according to the knowledge he hath of his own heart. We are so strange to our selves, that if only Certainty must move us to Action, I think we should sleep out the most of our lives. He speaks sincerely that speaks according to his persuasion, and as he thinks, though he be not certain.
8. In all such Cases our Actions must follow the smallest prevalent perswasions of our Judgement, though far short of full Assurance. If a true Believer do think himself to be such, he may profess himself such: When so far as he knoweth his own heart, he doth believe and repent, he may profess that he doth believe and repent, implying or expressing that he speaketh according to the knowledge he hath of his own heart. We are so strange to our selves, that if only Certainty must move us to Action, I think we should sleep out the most of our lives. He speaks sincerely that speaks according to his perswasion, and as he thinks, though he be not certain.
9. In such cases it condemneth not to act in doubting, but the same man that doubteth may act in faith. Indeed if the doubting be so predominant, that a man is more persuaded that he doth not believe, than that he doth (whether dogmatically, ⟨p. 194⟩or savingly) then he may not profess that he doth believe: that is, he may not think one thing, and speak another, and speak or do against his Conscience: And also if it be in an indifferent thing, as about meats, or drinks, or indifferent days, where he is certain to be innocent if he forbear, and uncertain to be innocent if he act, then he must take the safer side, and therefore forbear. And the Apostles words will reach no further than to these two points. He that hath unbelief, and therefore doubting, may say, Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief.