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,…

IV. Other Thomists hold that It is somewhat really distinct from our operations: and that is, Quoddam complementum virtutis activae, quo actualiter agat. (And he that knoweth what predicament this complementum belongeth to, and what it is, let him take this opinion for more than a mere complement.)

IV. Other Thomists hold that It is somewhat really distinct from our operations: and that is, Quoddam complementum virtutis activae, quo actualiter agat. (And he that knoweth what predicament this complementum belongeth to, and what it is, let him take this opinion for more than a meer complement.)

And here they tell you that they speak not of Gods simultaneous concurse; for that Alvarez confesseth is nothing besides Gods essence and mans act: But of his previous motion, which he saith, is somewhat more. ¹(As if they differed in the nature of motion.) And he saith, that this is true both of supernatural acts which are from Infused habits, as faith hope, Love: and of Imperfect supernaturals as fear of hell and attrition, by which man is remotely prepared for Justification • which proceed not from supernatural habits, but from the spirits special impulse, not yet inhabiting, but moving. And Alvarez thus concludeth—

1. 1So Amesius Antisynod. de Grat. c. 2. pag. 255. Satis esset apud omnes pios dicere Dei Velle sine ulla Impression intercedente certe posse efficere ut Voluntas consentiat ipsius Vocationi. I now meddle not with the truth of this, and Twisses argument is easily answered; But I entreat the Reader to note into what all our controversies are by these excellent men reduced, who yet most aggravate them. What now is the Gratia efficax ad credendum? Nothing besides Gods esse but ipsa fides. Is faith effective of it self? No. Is Gods essential will effective of it? Who ever denied it? What place is there for Controversies of sufficiency and efficacy, when it is but Gods essence and the known effect of which they speak, and hold not (as Alvarez doth) any motion or Impress made by God upon mind or will at all? Gods will then is effectual, quia vult effectum: and it is virtually sufficient for whatever he willeth not, but could will. But then no man can possibly do any more good or less evil than he doth, because no more or less is willed of God, which volition is the first necessary Cause of all things. And is not all their Volumes de Auxiliis Gratiae, and the several sorts, previous, simultaneous, operating, co-operating, &c. merely vain. when there is no such thing as any Grace besides Gods mere will, and the Act of man: And yet Dr. Twice elsewhere saith that Gods Decrees do nihil ponere in objecto.