A26865:486
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.
9. I should show what acts God doth in his three distinct Relations, as Owner, Ruler and Benefactor: And how equally he dealeth as Ruler, both in his Laws and Judgment, avoiding all respect of persons: But how far as Owner and Benefactor he is free, and maketh an Inequality in the distribution of his Mercies, and giveth more to some than to others, without respect to Merit.
9. I should shew what acts God doth in his three distinct Relations, as Owner, Ruler and Benefactor: And how equally he dealeth as Ruler, both in his Laws and Judgment, avoiding all respect of persons: But how far as Owner and Benefactor he is free, and maketh an Inequality in the distribution of his Mercies, and giveth more to some than to others, without respect to Merit.
10 And that accordingly, 1. he giveth the Gospel to one Nation, rather than to another; and to one person, rather than to another, without any different demerit of theirs. 2. And also giveth such Grace to some as shall infallibly convert them, with an absolute will to accomplish the effect, when that person no more deserveth it, than some that never have it.
11. But yet that no man is shut out of a state of Grace, but for or by his wilful refusal or neglect of it; nor any man denied any necessary Grace, but for the neglect or abuse of some sufficient antecedent grace: And though God give grace without and against desert, he never denieth it to any without desert; and that more than the desert of Original sin (not now interrupting our discourse with the Case of Infants).
11. But yet that no man is shut out of a state of Grace, but for or by his wilful refusal or neglect of it; nor any man denied any necessary Grace, but for the neglect or abuse of some sufficient antecedent grace: And though God give grace without and against desert, he never denieth it to any without desert; and that more than the desert of Original sin (not now interupting our discourse with the Case of Infants).