A26935:26
Gods goodness vindicated for the help of such (especially in melancholy) as are tempted…
Gods goodness vindicated for the help of such (especially in melancholy) as are tempted to deny it, and think him cruel, because of the present and future misery of mankind, with respect to the doctrine of reprobation and damnation / by Richard Baxter ... ; published and prefaced by a friend at whose desire it was written, and to whom it was committed.
London: printed for N. Simmons, 1671
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.
Quest. 13. Do not all men in the World confess Gods Goodness first or last? Do not all true believers (that are themselves) acknowledge, that he is Infinitely ⟨p. 27⟩Good, and Good to them, and that his mercy is over all his works, and endureth for ever? And do not the Consciences of the Damned grind and tear them for the contempt of Goodness, and setting against mercy, even mercy to themselves? This is the fuel that feedeth Hell not by way of delusion, but experimental conviction. If the man that doubteth of Gods Goodness and mercy to him, do despair, or fear damnation, he foolishly contradicteth himself. For Hell and Damnation is a state of misery and torment, in the loss, and in the Conscience and sense of refused ⟨p. 28⟩and abused mercy. If therefore God be not merciful to you, then you need not fear being damned, for sinning against and refusing mercy: For that which is not, cannot be sinned against, or abused: If God be merciful, you may be saved if you will accept this mercy: If he be not, you cannot in Justice be damned for rejecting that mercy which was none. And if God be not merciful and Just, he is not God. And if there be no God, there is none to damn you. But all confess in Heaven and in Hell, some with Joy and some with self-tormenting anguish that ⟨p. 29⟩God was unconceivably Good and merciful.
Quest. 13. Do not all men in the World confess Gods Goodness first or last? Do not all true believers (that are themselves) acknowledge, that he is Infinitely ⟨p. 27⟩Good, and Good to them, and that his mercy is over all his works, and endureth for ever? And do not the Consciences of the Damned grind and tear them for the contempt of Goodness, and setting against mercy, even mercy to themselves? This is the fewel that feedeth Hell not by way of delusion, but experimental conviction. If the man that doubteth of Gods Goodness and mercy to him, do despair, or fear damnation, he foolishly contradicteth himself. For Hell and Damnation is a state of misery and torment, in the loss, and in the Conscience and sense of refused