A26923:1176
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.
§. 16. Seeing it is so doubtful, whether any that are sincere fall away; we have great reason to think that it will hardlier be proved of the Confirmed: I know that Strength hath several degrees, and it's hard to determine just what this Confirmation is, but I am persuaded, that abundance of confirmed Christians there are, who have taken hold of Christ by Faith and Love, and have clear light and great experience, and so much Grace, as that from that Confirmation it may be inferred, that they never fall away and perish: and consequently that Certainty of Salvation, and not only of present Justification, is attainable in this Life. And some of the Papists themselves are of this mind, though others of them say, That even a state of Confirmation may be lost.
§. 16. Seeing it is so doubtful, whether any that are sincere fall away; we have great reason to think that it will hardlier be proved of the Confirmed: I know that Strength hath several degrees, and it's hard to determine just what this Confirmation is, but I am perswaded, that abundance of confirmed Christians there are, who have taken hold of Christ by Faith and Love, and have clear light and great experience, and so much Grace, as that from that Confirmation it may be inferred, that they never fall away and perish: and consequently that Certainty of Salvation, and not only of present Justification, is attainable in this Life. And some of the Papists themselves are of this mind, though others of them say, That even a state of Confirmation may be lost.
§. 17. Q. VIII. Whether Perseverance depend on mere Election?
§. 17. Q. VIII. Whether Perseverance depend on meer Election?
Ans. It was Augustine's Judgment (and his Followers) That Election is the ascertaining Cause of Perseverance, giving the special Grace of Perseverance; but what that Grace was besides Divine Volition and Preservation (whether any special confirming degree or kind) it is not easy to gather out of him: And I think it past doubt, That God