A26883:2788
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
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.
B. Still you anticipate those Controversies which belong to the point of Grace. But I answer, 1. You must answer this for your selves first, for it as much concerneth you as us. For you teach that what ever Power God giveth men, it will never be exercised, unless he fore-know that it will be so: Yea, unless upon fore-knowledge of mans due cooperation with God, it be decreed. For you say that God fore-knoweth all the Acts of Grace and Power that will be exercised; yea, and decreeth them on the said fore-sight, as your Doctrine de scientia media inferreth. ⟨p. 23⟩2. By this Objection there is no way to reconcile you to Gods Providence, unless he will be ignorant of all mens future sinful Omissions, or unless he will not be before-hand willing of all the good that is in the World, or at least not decree it, and be the Author of it; Or else unless he will cause all men equally to use their powers, and do good alike. Now you dare not say, that ever any of these shall come to pass. You see and confess that all men do not use their power equally, nor do good alike. And you know God will not be before ignorant of it. And you shall never abate Gods goodness so, as to keep him from willing and working too all the good that is the world. And will you therefore be unreconciled to him? 3. And where you say, what good then doth such power; 1. I pray you mark that you confess that we hold, that they had power. And if they had power to do good, they could have done it. For what else is power, but that by which I can do the Act. 2. The power given was a proportionable demonstration of Gods Power, Wisdom and Mercy, and therefore it did good. 3. That it was not used to their own Salvation, was their own fault for which they suffer. And in all this we are agreed. And now I appeal to your considering Reason, whether there be any difference hitherto left in the point of Predestination between you and me? And I again mind you, that were it not for the importunity and prejudice of contenders, all that I have said of this had been needless. for it is obvious, that while we are all agreed of these generals, 1. That God decreeth to give all men just so much Grace or Mercy as in time he giveth them. *2. And that he absolutely decreeth not to give them any more but what he giveth them.
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