A26865:481
An apology for the nonconformists ministry containing I. the reasons of their preaching, II.…
An apology for the nonconformists ministry containing I. the reasons of their preaching, II. an answer to the accusations urged as reasons for the silencing of about 2000 by Bishop Morley ..., III. reasons proving it the duty and interest of the bishops and conformists to endeavour earnestly their restoration : with a postscript upon oral debates with Mr. H. Dodwell, against his reasons for their silence ... : written in 1668 and 1669, for the most of it, and now published as an addition to the defence against Dr. Stillingfleet, and as an account to the silencers of the reasons of our practice / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for T. Parkhurst and D. Newman, 1681
AN APOLOGY FOR THE SILENCED MINISTERS, Especially for their not cea… › Part › Objection 23
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.
4. I would open the nature and extent of that common operative Grace of the Holy Ghost, which is given to those that are yet unsanctified; And I would prove from the case of Adam, that there hath been such a thing as Grace sufficient, or necessary to the effect, which through mans fault was not effectual; and which without any more helps, man could and ought to have made effectual, or to have acted by. And then I would prove that ad aliquid, there is still such a thing as Grace necessary or sufficient, ⟨p. 124⟩(that is, without which men cannot, and by which they can, use certain means which God hath made the duty of all mankind to use, which have a tendency to their recovery): And that certainly no part of the world is left under the first Covenant of innocency, (though under the precept or duty of it) but are under a Law or Covenant of Grace, as that Law by which they are governed and judged (though all Consent not); And therefore that all are under such obligations, to use such means for their recovery as are vouchsafed and appointed them; and are condemnable if they use them not; and need not fear using them (faithfully) in vain.
5. I would open the nature of Liberty and Free-will, and above all make plain the distinction between the Essential, Natural Liberty, and the mutable Moral Liberty; and show that mans will is a self-determining faculty, supposing the necessary objects, and intellectual apprehension; and that it is part of Gods Image on it, so to be Dominam suorum actuum; and that every man hath this natural liberty of willing, not willing or nilling (which Mr. Le Blank hath most judiciously opened in his late Theses); But no man hath more of the Moral liberty, which is a freedom from a vicious disposition, than he hath (either special or common) Grace.
5. I would open the nature of Liberty and Free-will, and above all make plain the distinction between the Essential, Natural Liberty, and the mutable Moral Liberty; and shew that mans will is a self-determining faculty, supposing the necessary objects, and intellectual apprehension; and that it is part of Gods Image on it, so to be Dominam suorum actuum; and that every man hath this natural liberty of willing, not willing or nilling (which Mr. Le Blank hath most judiciously opened in his late Theses); But no man hath more of the Moral liberty, which is a freedom from a vicious disposition, than he hath (either special or common) Grace.