A26862:309
Aphorisms of justification, with their explication annexed wherein also is opened the nature of…Aphorismes of justification, with their explication annexed wherein also is opened the nature of…
Aphorisms of justification, with their explication annexed wherein also is opened the nature of the covenants, satisfaction, righteousness, faith, works, &c. : published especially for the use of the church of Kidderminster in Worcestershire / by their unworthy teacher Ri. Baxter.Aphorismes of justification, with their explication annexed wherein also is opened the nature of the covenants, satisfaction, righteousnesse, faith, works, &c. : published especially for the use of the church of Kederminster in Worcestershire / by their unworthy teacher Ri. Baxter.
Hague: printed by Abraham Brown, 1655
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.
A two-fold perfection is here implied. 1. A Metaphysical Perfection of Being. 2. A Perfection of Sufficiency in order to its end.
A two-fold perfection is here implyed. 1. A Metaphysical Perfection of Being. 2. A Perfection of Sufficiency in order to its end.
1. The being of our Righteousness formally consisting in our relative conformity to the rule, either it must be perfect, or not at all. He that is not perfectly innocent in the very point that he is accused, is not innocent truly, but guilty. Sincerity is usually said to be our Gospel-Perfection: not as it is accepted in stead of perfection, but as it is truly so; for sincere Faith is our conformity to the Rule of Perfection, viz. the new Covenant as it is a Covenant; yet as it is sincere Faith, it is only materially our Righteousness and Perfection, but formally as it is relatively our conformity to the said Rule.
2. Our Righteousness is perfect as in its Being, so also in order to its end. The end is, to be the condition of our Justification, &c. This end it shall perfectly attain. The Tenor of the new Covenant is not, Believe in the highest degree, and you shall be justified; But believe sincerely, and you shall be justified; so that our Righteousness 1. formally considered, in relation to the condition of the new Covenant, is perfect or none. 2. But considered materially as it is holiness, either in reference to the degree it should attain, or the degree which it shall attain, or in reference to the ⟨p. 88⟩excellent object which it is exercised about, or in reference to the old Covenant, or the directive, (and in some sense) the preceptive part of the new Covenant; in all these respects it is imperfect.