A27015:459
The safe religion, or, Three disputations for the reformed catholic religion against popery proving…The safe religion, or, Three disputations for the reformed catholike religion against popery proving…
The safe religion, or, Three disputations for the reformed catholic religion against popery proving that popery is against the Holy Scriptures, the unity of the catholic church, the consent of the ancient doctors, the plainest reason, and common judgment of sense it self / by Richard Baxter.The safe religion, or, Three disputations for the reformed catholike religion against popery proving that popery is against the Holy Scriptures, the unity of the catholike church, the consent of the antient doctors, the plainest reason, and common judgment of sense it self / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by Abraham Miller for Thomas Underhill, 1657
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.
Ans. To the Antecedent or Minor I answer, that Papists be not all of a sort: some may be saved, and some cannot, if they so live and dye. If you ask who may and who may not? I answer, that all those of them that hold the substance of the Christian faith, and that practically, notwithstanding their errors; or that hold no errors but what consist with the Practical holding of the Christian faith, these shall be saved: But all those that finally hold any error which for matter or manner is inconsistent with the Practical holding of the Christian faith, shall be condemned.
Ans. To the Antecedent or Minor I answer, that Papists be not all of a sort: some may be saved, and some cannot, if they so live and dye. If you aske who may and who may not? I answer, that all those of them that hold the substance of the Christian faith, and that practically, notwithstanding their errors; or that hold no errors but what consist with the Practical holding of the Christian faith, these shall be saved: But all those that finally hold any error which for matter or manner is inconsistent with the Practical holding of the Christian faith, shall be condemned.
2. To the consequence of the Major I answer, by denying it; and that on the aforesaid account. If a Papist be saved, it is not by Popery, but from Popery. It is therefore no better reasoning than to say [If a Leper may live, then the Leprosy is wholesome, or a safe to preserve life] I have already spoke more to this. If such do live, it is with more trouble, and less comfort, and its fewer that live long with it, then of other sounder men: Men should not cast themselves into a course of great doubt and difficulty as to their salvation, and when they have done encourage themselves in it, because other men of moderate and charitable minds are afraid to conclude that they shall certainly be damned? Is it not a great probability ⟨p. 180⟩or danger of damnation very terrible, though you were not certain to be damned.
2. To the consequence of the Major I answer, by denying it; and that on the aforesaid account. If a Papist be saved, it is not by Popery, but from Popery. It is therefore no better reasoning than to say [If a Leper may live, then the Leprosie is wholsome, or a safe to preserve life] I have already spoke more to this. If such do live, it is with more trouble, and less omfort, and its fewer that live long with it, then of other sounder men: Men should not cast themselves into a course of great doubt and difficulty as to their salvation, and when they have done encourage themselves in it, because other men of moderate and charitable mindes are afraid to conclude that they shall certainly be damned? Is it not a great probability