A27015:90
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.
By a safe way, we mean a way that in suo genere is sufficient to the attainment of the end; so that all that sincerely are that way shall attain that end; A certain means of happiness to all that faithfully use it. ⟨p. 11⟩For it must be known that no Religion (or sound Doctrines) will save a man that is not faithful in the reception and improvement of them. A True Religion will not save him that is not True to his Religion. And therefore it is no wonder if multitudes even of Protestants do perish, though their Religion be the only Religion in the world. For they are not heartily of the Religion which they profess. They have that doctrine which is the seal, and fit enough of its own nature quantum in se to imprint the image of God upon their souls: But if they keep this seal in their Chests, and apply it not effectually to their hearts, they may have unholy hearts and lives, though they profess a holy faith and Religion, and therefore may perish for all that profession; yea and perish most deplorably because their profession doth aggravate their sin. If a mans Religion (or believed doctrines) be bad in the main, the man himself must needs be bad too; and therefore no man of such a Religion can be saved: But if a mans Religion (or professed doctrines) be never so good it is possible he may be bad that doth profess them: and then no Religion can save a wicked man. So that of the true Religion some are saved, but not all: but of a bad Religion (in the main) no man can be good, or be saved.
By a safe way, we mean a way that in suo genere is sufficient to the attainment of the end; so that all that sincerely are that way shall attain that end; A certain means of happiness to all that faithfully use it. ⟨p. 11⟩For it must be known that no Religion (or sound Doctrines) will save a man that is not faithful in the reception and improvement of them. A True Religion will not save him that is not True to his Religion. And therefore it is no wonder if multitudes even of Protestants do perish, though their Religion be the onely Religion in the world. For they are not heartily of the Religion which they profess. They have that doctrine which is the seal, and fit enough of its own nature quantum in se to imprint the image of God upon their souls: But if they keep this seal in their Chests, and apply it not effectually to their hearts, they may have unholy hearts and lives, though they profess a holy faith and Religion, and therefore may perish for all that profession; yea and perish most deplorably because their profession doth aggravate their sin. If a mans Religion (or believed doctrines) be bad in the maine, the man himself must needs be bad too; and therefore no man of such a Religion can be saved: But if a mans Religion (or professed doctrines) be never so good it is possible he may be bad that doth profess them: and then no Religion can save a wicked man. So that of the true Religion some are saved, but not all: but of a bad Religion (in the main) no man can be good, or be saved.