A26923:1180
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. 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?
2. Most that hold otherwise, hold it but as uncertain, and are not themselves certain that it is true, though they call it certain: I am uncertain: And I find not by other signs that the most have more knowledge than my self: And he that is not certain of the Premises, is not by them certain of the Conclusion.
3. Most Christians are uncertain that they are sincere and justified: And such cannot be certain to persevere in that which they are not certain that they have.
§. 19. Q. X. Certainty of their present state of Justification is not fit for those that sin as much, and are as bad as ever will stand with sincerity (till they repent:) Therefore certainty of Perseverance must needs be unfit for them. And therefore God never giveth it to such.
§. 19. Q. X. Certainty of their present state of Iustification is not fit for those that sin as much, and are as bad as ever will stand with sincerity (till they repent:) Therefore certainty of Perseverance must needs be unfit for them. And therefore God never giveth it to such.