A26923:1215
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 27: Of Repentance; late Repentance; the time of Grace, and of the unpardonable Sin.
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.
§. 13. But great and heinous sins must needs have actual repentance, because it will not consist with the ⟨p. 318⟩Truth of Holiness to be so indifferent or eas•e towards them, as not to observe them, and remember them: And if they be known and remembered, they will be repented of, when the Soul hath opportunity to consider what it hath done. For habitual repentance is necessary to Salvation; and Habits will act when they are not extraordinarily hindered, having notable Objects and Opportunity.
§. 13. But great and heinous sins must needs have actual repentance, because it will not consist with the ⟨p. 318⟩Truth of Holiness to be so indifferent or eas•e towards them, as not to observe them, and remember them: And if they be known and remembred, they will be repented of, when the Soul hath opportunity to consider what it hath done. For habitual repentance is necessary to Salvation; and Habits will act when they are not extraordinarily hindred, having notable Objects and Opportunity.
§. 14. Yet some sins that are great materially in their nature, may be lessened much to some persons by unavoidable ignorance, and so may not have an actual repentance: As, e. g. in times of War, to kill men in a wrong Cause, is one of the greatest •ins in the World; and yet when by the darkness of State-cases, the Question who is in the right, is so difficult, that very few can decide it; and after their utmost search, each Party thinks that God bindeth them to fight for their King or Country, such persons cannot have a particular repentance, while they are not able to see that they were deceived.