A26951:1347
The life of faith in three parts, the first is a sermon on Heb.…
The life of faith in three parts, the first is a sermon on Heb. 11, 1, formerly preached before His Majesty, and published by his command, with another added for the fuller application : the second is instructions for confirming believers in the Christian faith : the third is directions how to live by faith, or how to exercise it upon all occasions / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by R.W. for Nevil Simmons, 1670
Part 3 › Chapter 7: How to exercise Faith about Pardon of sin and Justification.
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.
2. And there are many sins which consist with true grace, which will not consist with the assurance of its sincerity. And that 1. From the nature of the things; because the least degree of grace conjunct with, and clouded by the greatest degree of sin which may consist with it, is not discernible to to him that hath it: He that is so very near a state of death, and so very like to an unjustified person, can never be sure, in that case, that he is justified. 2. And also God in Wisdom and Justice will have it so; that sin may not be encouraged, nor presumption cherished, nor the comforts which are the reward of an obedient child, be cast away on an uncapable child in his stubborn disobedience, Psal. 51. & 32. & 77.
2. And there are many sins which consist with true grace, which will not consist with the assurance of its sincerity. And that 1. From the nature of the things; because the least degree of grace conjunct with, and clouded by the greatest degree of sin which may consist with it, is not discernable to to him that hath it: He that is so very near a state of death, and so very like to an unjustified person, can never be sure, in that case, that he is justified. 2. And also God in Wisdom and Justice will have it so; that sin may not be encouraged, nor presumption cherished, nor the comforts which are the reward of an obedient child, be cast away on an uncapable child in his stubborn disobedience, Psal. 51. & 32. & 77.
Therefore for a man that liveth in gross sin, to say that he is sure that he is justified, and therefore no sin shall make him question it; is but to believe the Antinomian Devil transforming himself into an Angel of Light, and his Ministers when they call themselves the Ministers of Righteousness; and to deny belief to the Spirit of Holiness and Truth. And if a true Believer should come very near such a state of death, common reason, and the due care of his own soul, obligeth him to be suspicious of himself, and to fear the worst, till he have made sure of better,