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,…

C. At least then we may here denominate Gods Operations on several Souls, as various from the variety of Effects.

B. You may and must do so: But then remember that the question is but de nomine, and that you confess that there is no real diversity in all Gods Operations on mens Souls on his part, no not in degrees. II. And then as to the means, though for my part I think that a great diversity is caused by their diversity, yet you your selves will not consent, that the question about sufficiency and efficacy be there laid. 1. Because it is a moral operation: and you think that some other physical operation causeth the difference. 2. Because many that live under the most excellent means are not converted, when some are that had far less. 3. Because you suppose no means sufficient of it self: and no means insufficient when God will work by it. But if this must be the question, it must be remembered that you grant, 1. That means are but sufficient for their own part, and not ad omnia: and therefore suppose somewhat in the person (disposition or use) to make them effectual. 2. And that God is the Author of means: and that in themselves they are the same oft to good and bad. But 3. That the diversity of mens dispositions maketh the same less suitable to one, which is now suitable and consequently more effectual to another. So that here is the same Grace oft times as in the means, made various by variety of Reception. And so that which you are to say of God herein is this, that when some wicked Parents have more vitiated their Posterity than others, and when some wicked men by their practices have more vitiated themselves, yet God doth not always ⟨p. 150⟩give them a greater proportion of gracious means ^*and helps than to others, but leaveth them under the common helps which convert the more prepared Souls. Not that God always doth so: For oft times to his Elect he doth as he did by Paul, or the Eunuch, vouchsafe them extraordinary means. For as a Benefactor he is free, and may do with his own as he list, and may make Vessels of Mercy and Honour of them that deserved worst. And the case of the Tyrians and Sidonians, compared with theirs of Capernaum and Bethsaida, doth prove, that less means are proportionable to some as being less ill-disposed, when greater to others may be uneffectual. III. And then as to objective Grace, it being the same God, the same Heaven, the same Christ, and the same Promise which is set before all that have the Gospel, this cannot be the Controversy.