Certain Quote by Richard Baxter
“I tell you again, God hath not ordinarily decreed the end without the means; and if you will neglect the means of salvation, it is a certain mark that God hath not decreed you to salvation. But you shall find that He hath left you no excuse, because He hath not thus predestined you.”
About This Quote
Source Sermon: The Doctrine of Grace, 1650
God provides both the end and the necessary means for salvation; ignoring those means is a personal failing, not divine predestination.
In simple terms: Salvation requires both God's plan and human effort; neglecting effort is a personal fault.
Key Takeaway
Take responsibility for the means of your salvation.
Themes
faith
free will
predestination
responsibility
Mood
thoughtful
serious
inquisitive
Type
spiritual
theological
When to use this quote
- personal prayer
- church attendance
- ethical decisions
- spiritual study
Key Concepts
theology
human agency
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you rely on divine grace or personal effort?
- What means of salvation do you neglect?
A Different Perspective
The emphasis on human effort may overlook systemic barriers to faith.
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![“The LORD is my h light and my i salvation; j whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold [1] of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/51b/anonymous-1_afraid_the-lord-is-my-h-light-and-my-i-salvatio_92083.jpg)
![“[Non-Catholic Christians are] in a gravely deficient situation in comparison with those who, in the [Roman Catholic] church, have the fullness of the means of salvation.” quote by Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e83/pope-benedict-xvi-414_catholic_non-catholic-christians-are-in-a-gravely_847737.jpg)
