A26923:749
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 16: Of the State of Heathens and others, that have not the Gospel.
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.
§. 27. The rest of the World were not bound to know so much of the Messiah as the Jews, as having not the same Revelation.
§. 27. The rest of the World were not bound to know so much of the Messiah as the Iews, as having not the same Revelation.
§. 28. 1. Having proved that it is a Law of Grace that all the World is to be ruled and judged by, it remaineth to be enquired, Whether any of them that have not the Gospel, do keep the Conditions ⟨p. 199⟩of this Law, and so are justified by it, and saved?
To which I answer, 1. That being a matter of fact, it is not of so great Importance for us to be certain of it, as some imagine: And who can be certain of the Affirmative, unless the Scripture affirm it; when if we knew all the World, one man cannot be certain of another's Sincerity? And much less can any be certain of the Negative, without Scripture Negation, seeing no man can know every man in the World, and every Heart.
To which I answer, 1. That being a matter of fact, it is not of so great Importance for us to be certain of it, as some imagine: And who can be certain of the Affirmative, unless the Scripture affirm it; when if we knew all the World, one man cannot be certain of anothers Sincerity? And much less can any be certain of the Negative, without Scripture Negation, seeing no man can know every man in the World, and every Heart.