A26955:330
The mischiefs of self-ignorance and the benefits of self-acquaintance opened in divers sermons at…
The mischiefs of self-ignorance and the benefits of self-acquaintance opened in divers sermons at Dunstan's-West and published in answer to the accusations of some and the desires of others / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by R. White for F. Tyton, 1662
THE Mischief of Self-ignorance, AND Benefit of Self-acquaintance. › Part
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.
7. Such as Believe that Christ is the Redeemer, but believe not that he will have mercy upon them, as supposing their hearts are not qualified for his salvation, no• ever will be, because the day of grace i• past, and he hath concluded them under a sentence of reprobation; and therefore thinking that there is no hope and that their endeavours would be all in vain, they cast off all endeavours, and give up themselves to the pleasures of the flesh, and say, It is as good be damned for some thing or for a greater matter, as for a less.
7. Such as Believe that Christ is the Redeemer, but believe not that he will have mercy upon them, as supposing their hearts are not qualifyed for his salvation, no• ever will be, because the day of grace i• past, and he hath concluded them under a sentence of reprobation; and therefore thinking that there is no hope and that their endeavours would be all in vaine, they cast off all endeavours, and give up themselves to the pleasurs of the flesh, and say, It is as good be damned for some thing or for a greater mattter, as for a lesse.
So that there are three sorts of Despair that are not equally dangerous 1. A Despair of pardon and salvation arising from Infidelity, as if the Gospel were not true, nor Christ a Saviour to be trusted, with our souls, if predominant, is damnable. 2. A Despair of pardon and salvation▪ arising from a mis-understanding of the Promise, as if it pardoned not such sins as ours, and denied mercy to those that have sinned so long as we; this is not damnable necessarily of it self, because it implieth faith in Christ; and not Infidelity but misunderstanding hindereth the apply•••g ⟨p. 219⟩comforting act: And therefore this actual personal despair, is accompanied ith a General actual Hope and with a particular personal, virtual Hope. 3. A Despair […] pardon and salvation, upon the misunderstanding of ourselves, as thinking both at we are gracless, and always shall be so, because of the blindness and hardness of our hearts: of this Despair I say as of the forer, it is joined with faith and with General nd Virtual Hope: and therefore is not the Despair that of its self condemneth. Many may […] saved that are too much guitly of it.