A26955:593
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.
Quest. But how far may a dark and doubting person take up and rest in the judgement of a Minister or of others, about the state of his soul, when he is not satisfied himself?
Answ. This Question is of very great use, and therefore the more carefully to be resolved; I shall answer it therefore, 1. Negatively, and 2. Affirmatively.
1. No mans judgement of your state is to be taken as absolutely infallible or divine: nor is man to be believed as God is with a divine belief: when they tell you, that [If you are regenerate, you are justified] then they do but tell you what God ⟨p. 430⟩hath told you, and therefore this is to be taken as of infallible certainty, not as it is their word, but as it is Gods: so also when they tell you, that [if you are unconverted you are not forgiven] But when they tell you, that [you are converted or unconverted, pardoned or unpardoned,] this judgement is not to be taken as infallible or Divine.