A26862:640
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.
I therefore affirm, 1. The World is no lawful Judge of our Righteousness before ⟨p. 189⟩God, or in reference to the Law of God. 2. Neither are they competent or capable Judges. They cannot possibly pass any certain true sentence of our Righteousness or unrighteousness. 3. If they could, yet Works are no certain medium, or evidence, whereby the world can know us to be Righteous: For there is no outward work which an Hypocrite may not perform: and inward works they cannot discern: nor yet the principles from which, nor the ends to which our works proceed and are intended. There is as much need of a divine heart-searching knowledge, to discern the sincerity of Works, as of Faith it self. So that if it be not certain, that the Text speaks of Justification before God, I scarce know what to be certain of.
I therefore affirme, 1. The World is no lawfull Judge of our Righteousness before ⟨p. 189⟩God, or in reference to the Law of God. 2. Neither are they competent or capable Judges. They cannot possibly passe any certaine true sentence of our Righteousness or unrighteousnesse. 3. If they could, yet Works are no certain medium, or evidence, whereby the world can know us to be Righteous: For there is no outward work which an Hypocrite may not perform: and inward works they cannot discern: nor yet the principles from which, nor the ends to which our works proceed and are intended. There is as much need of a divine heart-searching knowledge, to discern the sincerity of Works, as of Faith it self. So that if it be not certain, that the Text speaks of Justification before God, I scarce know what to be certain of.
Once more: 1. Was Abraham justified before men for a secret Action! 2. Or for such a• Action as the killing of his only Son would have been? 3. Was not he the justifier here, who was the imputer of Righteousness? But God was the imputer of Righteousness, vers 23. therefore God was the Justifier, So I leave that interpretation to sleep.