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,…

II. We did not fulfil it and merit in Christ: But Christ did in the Person of a Mediator, voluntarily undertaking it, on his Fathers terms, and not as our Instrument, or in our Persons. I have else-where given abundance of Arguments against that, which I must not here repeat. This Author took notice of my Objection, that he that is reputed perfectly Innocent and Obedient, is uncapable of Pardon, and needeth no satisfaction, or remitting, or rewarding Covenant, besides that which he kept, but answereth it not. This subverteth the Gospel and Religion. Quer. If there be no Reward nor Life but of Justice, and no Reward but for Christ's Merits, and all Believers equally merited in Christ, as fulfilling all the Law; 1. Whence cometh the inequality of Grace and Glory? 2. How come any Believers to be left long under sins and weakness of Grace, and temporal punishments?

III. The Merits of Christ have procured us the New Covenant (sealed in Baptism) by which we have a new Rule offiicii & judicii, (for such is every Law) Christ is not the only Subject of God: He made us not lawless or Rebels. God still ruleth the Church by a Law or Covenant: This is the Law or Covenant of Grace: Deny this Covenant, and you deny the Gospel: This Covenant or Law obligeth us to Duty: And it promiseth and giveth Pardon and Life in and with Christ: This Covenant hath Conditions; various conditions of various Benefits; Our first true consent (which Baptism celebrateth) that is, our first believing and repenting is the condition of our first Union with Christ, and our Pardon, and Adoption, and the Spirit. Our sincere Love and Obedience to the end, and over-coming, is the further condition of our final Justification at Judgment, and our Glory. This Covenant we are now under, and by this we must be finally judged, justified, or condemned. No man shall be saved, unless (if at age) he personally perform the conditions of this Covenant: And every one shall be saved that doth. Faith, Repentance, Love to our Redeemer, Gratitude, Prayer, sincere Obedience, are all such Doing, as by this Covenant are made the necessary means of Glory: But not such Doing as Paul opposeth to the Jews, as maketh the Reward not of Grace, but of Debt. The Author of this Law is just: His Justice will give to the performers of the Condition all that he hath promised.