A26923:1167
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.
§. 10. Q. V. To the next, some have said, That had Adam done but one act of Love or Obedience, he had been confirmed as the Angels in a state of Impeccability: And that so are all that once truly believe in Christ. But Experience utterly confuteth that: For all men sin after believing.
§. 11. Others say only, That men may sin, and may lose acquired Grace, but no degree of that which is infused: But we have small reason to think that our increased degrees are not as much infused as the first degree was: And yet Experience proveth, that such added degrees may be lost.
§. 11. Others say only, That men may sin, and may lose acquired Grace, but no degree of that which is infused: But we have small reason to think that our encreased degrees are not as much infused as the first degree was: And yet Experience proveth, that such added degrees may be lost.
§. 12. Others say, All added degrees may be lost, but none of that which was first infused: Indeed could we prove, that God always at first infuseth only the least degree consistent with Salvation, then this must be held by all that deny that any fall from Justification: But for ought we know God may the first minute give one man more Grace than to another in long time, and that first degree may be lessened by his sin.
§. 12. Others say, All added degrees may be lost, but none of that which was first infused: Indeed could we prove, that God alwaies at first infuseth only the least degree consistent with Salvation, then this must be held by all that deny that any fall from Justification: But for ought we know God may the first minute give one man more Grace than to another in long time, and that first degree may be lessened by his sin.