A26883:1126
Richard Baxter's Catholic theology plain, pure, peaceable, for pacification of the dogmatical word-warriors who,…Richard Baxter's Catholick theologie plain, pure, peaceable, for pacification of the dogmatical word-warriours who,…
Richard Baxter's Catholic theology plain, pure, peaceable, for pacification of the dogmatical word-warriors who, 1. by contending about things unrevealed or not understood, 2. and by taking verbal differences for real,Richard Baxter's Catholick theologie plain, pure, peaceable, for pacification of the dogmatical word-warriours who, 1. by contending about things unrevealed or not understood, 2. and by taking verbal differences for real,
London: printed by Robert White for Nevill Simmons, 1675
THE Second Part. OF GODS GOVERNMENT, AND MORAL WORKS. › A PREMONITION.
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. I am loth to confound the certainties with the uncertainties, in this matter. 1. It is certain, that Gods Law of Nature was mans first and principal Law; to which the supernatural Revelations were added, and comparatively few.
2. It is certain that Gods Law was perfect, and that both as the impress and expression of Gods perfect Wisdom and Holiness, and as the Rule of Perfection to Adam: And therefore that it obliged him to perfection.
3. But this Perfection to which he was obliged, was not at first, all that his nature would be capable of at last; It was not his duty the first hour of his life, to Know or Do as much as after the longest time and experience, and as much as in heavenly perfection: But he was bound to Know, and Love, and Do at first, as much as at that time his nature was capable of, supposing necessary Concauses and Objects.
4. This is summed up in, Loving God with all the Heart, Mind and Might. But the All in maturity and after full experience, and in Glory, is more than the All in unexperienced juniority. To know, love and obey God, to the utmost intention of his present natural Power, supposing due Objects, media and concauses, was Adam's duty and all defectiveness herein was culpable, or sin.