A26923:1178
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. 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 ⟨p. 309⟩doth elect some to Perseverance, and all persevere whom he so electeth, and because he electeth them and no other: But whether many also are truly sanctified and justified that are not elect, and so do not persevere, as Austin held, I said before, I do not know.
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 easie to gather out of him: And I think it past doubt, That God ⟨p. 309⟩doth elect some to Perseverance, and all persevere whom he so electeth, and because he electeth them and no other: But whether many also are truly sanctified and justified that are not elect, and so do not persevere, as Austin held, I said before, I do not know.
§. 18. Q. IX. Are all or most Christians certain that they shall persevere?
Ans. No: For, 1. most Christians in the World hold, that Perseverance is uncertain to the godly; and how can they be certain of it to themselves?