CHAP. IX. Against the vain Confidence of Hereticks.

BUT seeing it is necessary to believe, That sins are not, nor ever were re∣mitted, but purely by Gods mercy through Christ: It must not then be said that any mans sins are forgiven because he boasts of his confidence and cer∣tainty thereof, and reposing himself quietly and contentedly in that confidence alone; seeing this vain confidence, so remote from all godliness, may be among Hereticks and Schismaticks, as we see it is at this time preach'd up with great earnestness by them against the Doctrine of the Catholick Church: Nor must we assert that they, who are really and truly justified, ought, without any the least doubt or scruple in themselves, to conclude themselves justify'd, and none absolv'd from Sin or Justified, but such as do certainly believe themselves ab∣solv'd and justified, and by this Belief only Absolution and Justification to be perfected; as if he that believes not this, may doubt of the Promises of God, and the Efficacy of the Death and Resurrection of Christ: For as no truly God∣ly man ought to doubt of the Mercy of God, the Merit of Christ, and the Virtue and Efficacy of the Sacraments; so every one, when he looks upon himself, and his own infirmity and indisposition, may fear, and doubt of his Grace, seeing none is able certainly to know whether he has the Grace of God or no.