A26923:1162
An end of doctrinal controversies which have lately troubled the churches
An end of doctrinal controversies which have lately troubled the churches by reconciling explication without much disputing. Written by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for John Salusbury, 1691
Chapter 26: Of Confirmation, Perseverance, and Danger of falling away.
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.
Ans. That a common uneffectual Faith may be lost, is no doubt: But concerning the other, there are three Opinions. 1. Some say, No; it cannot be lost, because that Faith hath the Promise of the Sanctification of the Spirit, as well as of Pardon and right to Life. Therefore seeing habitual Holiness is not lost, that which hath the Promise of it, is not lost.
2. Others say, That actual Faith at first is like Adam's loseable Grace; and that it giveth us actual Pardon and right to Life, if we so die, and right to the Spirit (in relation) to sanctify us in time, and by degrees: But that every one that hath the Spirit, hath not the Habits of Love and Holiness, but he sometimes is causing many Acts before he produce a Habit (ad modum acquisitorum.)
2. Others say, That actual Faith at first is like Adam's loseable Grace; and that it giveth us actual Pardon and right to Life, if we so die, and right to the Spirit (in relation) to sanctifie us in time, and by degrees: But that every one that hath the Spirit, hath not the Habits of Love and Holiness, but he sometimes is causing many Acts before he produce a Habit (ad modum acquisitorum.)
3. Others say, That both Faith and habitual Holiness are oft lost. I delay the solution till the rest be considered.