A26887:65
The certainty of Christianity without popery, or, Whether the Catholic-Protestant or the papist have…The certainty of Christianity without popery, or, Whether the Catholick-Protestant or the papist have…
The certainty of Christianity without popery, or, Whether the Catholic-Protestant or the papist have the surer faith being an answer to one of the oft canted questions and challenges of the papists, sent to one who desired this : published to direct the unskilful, how to defend their faith against papists and infidels, but especially against the temptations of the Devil, that by saving their faith, they may save their holiness, their comfort and their souls / by Richard Baxter.The certainty of Christianity without popery, or, Whether the Catholick-Protestant or the papist have the surer faith being an answer to one of the oft canted questions and challenges of the papists, sent to one who desired this : published to direct the unskilful, how to defend their faith against papists and infidels, but especially against the temptations of the Devil, that by saving their faith, they may save their holiness, their comfort and their souls / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for Nevil Simons, 1672
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.
§. 4. II. To the second, I know that this Doctrine and Book is the same which by the Apostles were delivered to the Churches, by Infallible History; not such as dependeth on the honesty of the speakers only, and so begetteth but a humane faith; much less such as depends on the bare Authority of the King of Rome and his narrow selfish sect or party and Kingdom; but by such History as hath a certainty in it from natural principles, by which we prove it impossible that there should be deceit; there being so full a concurrence of all sorts of Christians, and enemies also, and infallible circumstantial evidence. Even as I know that there was such a man at Rome as Gregory 1. and Gregory 7. and such persons in England, as Henry 8. King Edward 6. Queen Mary. Queen Elizabeth, &c. And as I know that our Statute ⟨p. 15⟩Books are not counterfeit: And as your Doctors know that the Acts and Decrees of Councils, the Works of Bellarmine, Baronius, &c. are not counterfeit: which is not because the Pope or a General Council saith so, but by rational evidence of certain History, which leaveth not mens minds in doubt.
§. 5. But I am not equally certain of some questioned Books, or Readings, (no nor of the sense of some difficult words) as I am of all the rest, which being more evident are more past controversy.
§. 5. But I am not equally certain of some questioned Books, or Readings, (no nor of the sense of some difficult words) as I am of all the rest, which being more evident are more past controversie.
§. 6. III. I know the meaning of the words (spoken or written) as you know the meaning of a man that talketh with you, or of any other writings; as of your Councils, Decretals, Mass-book, Bellarmine, &c. that is, by the significance of such words by humane usage from those days till now, which Lexicons, Books, and successive practice fully prove.