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,…

122. Some distinguish only of Actions, and not of Time, and say Christ's Sacrifice satisfied for all our sins, that they may be forgiven, and his righteousness is imputed to us, that we may be also accounted just; But this is but either ambiguity, or the fore-detected gross contradiction. For if by Justice they mean Reputed sinlessness, or perfecti••, then these two cannot stand together: For he that is supposed a Sinner, is supposed not sinless or perfect; And he that is supposed sinless cannot be supposed pardonable.

122. Some distinguish only of Actions, and not of Time, and say Christ's Sacrifice satisfyed for all our sins, that they may be forgiven, and his righteousness is imputed to us, that we may be also accounted just; But this is but either ambiguity, or the fore-detected gross contradiction. For if by Justice they mean Reputed sinlessness, or perfecti••, then these two cannot stand together: For he that is supposed a Sinner, is supposed not sinless or perfect; And he that is supposed sinless cannot be supposed pardonable.

123. Some think to avoid the contradiction, by distinguishing only the moments of Nature, and double respect of the same mans actions: They say that we are first in order of Nature supposed to be Sinners, and pardoned, and then to be such as moreover need the reputation of Innocency or Righteousness which is added to pardon. But, 1. He that is pardoned all sins of omission and commission, is accounted Innocent and Righteous as to any Guilt of punishment, either of sense or Loss. 2. And he that is after accounted Innocent and Just from his first being to that hour, is judged never to have needed pardon: And so they make God come with an after act, and condemn his own foregoing act of error and injury; or at least to contradict it, and in the first instant to say [I pardon this Sinner] and in the second to say [I now repute him one that never sinned or needed pardon.]

123. Some think to avoid the contradiction, by distinguishing only the moments of Nature, and double respect of the same mans actions: They say that we are first in order of Nature supposed to be Sinners, and pardoned, and then to be such as moreover need the reputation of Innocency or Righteousness which is added to pardon. But, 1. He that is pardoned all sins of omission and commission, is accounted Innocent and Righteous as to any Guilt of punishment, either of sence or Loss. 2. And he that is after accounted Innocent and Just from his first being to that hour, is judged never to have needed pardon: And so they make God come with an after act, and condemn his own foregoing act of error and injury; or at least to contradict it, and in the first instant to say [I pardon this Sinner] and in the second to say [I now repute him one that never sinned or needed pardon.]