A26862:768
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 told you before that the Scripture mentioneth two sorts of Covenants, absolute and conditional. The Absolute Covenant is found in Ezek. 11. 17, 18. Jer. 31. 31, 32, 33, 34. Jer. 32, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42. & mentioned by the Apostle in Heb. 8. 10. Concerning this Covenant ⟨p. 249⟩you must understand, that as in the first promise of it here by the Prophets, it seemeth to be made to the particular Nation of the Jews, and is joined with the promise of their temporal Restoration; so some do question, whether it be yet to them fulfilled? or whether it be not a promise of some extraordinary permanent happiness which they shall receive at their last and great deliverance by the Messiah? (whether by coming personally to reign among them, or not, I now dispute not.) Yet as the Apostle in Heb. 8. 8, 9. doth extend it further then to the Jews, so must we; but whether the Apostle mention it as an absolute promise, is a great doubt; or whether he only respect the spirituality of the benefits, and so oppose the writing of the Law in our hearts, (which the new Covenant promiseth) to the writing of it in stone, and revealing mercy in the dark way of Ceremonies? But yet, for my part, I think you may call it an absolute Promise: But then understand, that this is not the new Law or Covenant made with mankind, revealing to them their duties, and the terms on which they must live or dye: This is made to the elect only; this speaketh nothing of duty: No man can have any comfort by this Covenant, till it be performed to him, and till he have received the promised benefits; for no man till then can tell whether it be made for him, or not: It is made to ⟨p. 250⟩the elect only; and no man can know himself to be elect, till he be sanctified, and when he is sanctified this promise is fulfilled; therefore the benefits of this promise are not to be received by Faith: for Faith is part of the promised Good, as it is contained in a new & a soft heart seminally; and therefore to receive this promise by Faith, were to believe, that we may receive grace and power to believe, then which what can be more absurd: No man therefore can say before-hand, that he shall have a new and soft heart, because God hath promised it; for he cannot know that it is promised to him: