A26864:304
Rich. Baxters apology against the modest exceptions of Mr. T. Blake and the digression…
Rich. Baxters apology against the modest exceptions of Mr. T. Blake and the digression of Mr. G. Kendall whereunto is added animadversions on a late dissertation of Ludiomæus Colvinus, aliaà Ludovicus Molinæs̳, M. Dr. Oxon, and an admonition of Mr. W. Eyre of Salisbury : with Mr. Crandon's Anatomy for satisfaction of Mr. Caryl.
London: printed by A.M. for Thomas Underhill, 1654
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.
§. 31.
Mr Bl. And in such consideration I do not know how there can be perfection or imperfection either in holiness or righteousness: It is as they come up to, or fall short of the Rule, that they have the denomination of perfection or imperfection.
Mr Bl. ANd in such consideration I do not know how there can be perfection or imperfection either in holiness or righteousness: It is as they come up to, or fall short of the Rule, that they have the denomination of perfection or imperfection.
§. 31.
R.B. 1. AT the first view, the first sentence seemed so strange to me, that I thought it meetest to say nothing, because it is scarce capable of any apt answer but what will seem sharp or unmannerly, For that which you say you may consider, is something or nothing: If something, and yet not capable of perfection or imperfection, it is such a something as the world never knew till now. But upon second thoughts I finde that de justitia your words may be born: For it is nothing that you speak of. Legal Righteousness not related to the Law or Rule, is Nothing: And Nothing cannot be more perfect or less; nisi negativè. But that holiness taken for spiritual habits and acts, can have neither perfection or imperfection; or that they are capable of no perfection or imperfection in any other sense, but as related; nor yet in any Relations to God, or the person dedicating, save only in the relation to the Rule; all these for the first reason shall have no answer but a recital.