A26862:479
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.
To the fifth Question. Perhaps I shall be blamed, as singular from all men, in denying Faith to be the Instrument of our Justification: But affectation of singularity leads me not to it. 1. If Faith be an Instrument, it is the Instrument of God or man: Not of man: For man is not the principal efficient; he doth not justify himself. 2. Not of God: For 1. It is not God that believeth; though its true, he is the first Cause of all Actions. 2. Man is the Causa secunda, between God and the Action: and so still man should be said to justify himself. 3. For (as Aquinus) The Action of the principal Cause and of the Instrument is one Action: and who dare ⟨p. 140⟩say, that Faith is so Gods Instrument? 4. The Instrument must have influx to the producing of the effect of the Principal cause by a proper Causality. And who dare say, that Faith hath such an influx into our Justification?
To the fifth Question. Perhaps I shall be blamed, as singular from all men, in denying Faith to be the Instrument of our Justification: But affectation of singularity leades me not to it. 1. If Faith be an Iustrument, it is the Instrument of God or man: Not of man: For man is not the principall efficient; he doth not justifie himself. 2. Not of God: For 1. It is not God that believeth; though its true, he is the first Cause of all Actions. 2. Man is the Causa secunda, between God and the Action: and so still man should be said to justifie himselfe. 3. For (as Aquinus) The Action of the principall Cause and of the Instrument is one Action: and who dare ⟨p. 140⟩say, that Faith is so Gods Instrument? 4. The Instrument must have influx to the producing of the effect of the Principall cause by a proper Causalitie. And who dare say, that Faith hath such an influx into our Justification?
Object. But some would evade thus: It is (say they) a Passive Instrument not an Active.