A26883:4502
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.
L. But some say that they are so Impudent as to say that from the intrinsic worth of the work, setting aside the consideration of the promise, it is meritorious.
L. But some say that they are so Impudent as to say that from the intrinsick worth of the work, setting aside the consideration of the promise, it is meritorious.
R. 1. Their commonest opinion is that the natural Aptitude of Holiness and obedience, and the Promise of God set together make them rewardable (or meritorious as they call it:) which is most certain. God promiseth not his blessings and happiness to men for things evil, or worthless and indifferent. But 2. Some among their Doctors say that Were there no promise Holiness would be Rewardable; that is, that Gods perfection proveth that he is Pleased with it and Loveth the holy: 2. And that it is happiness it self as is aforesaid: And as this doth but speak the suitableness of Gods Image to be the object of his Love, and of obedience to be the Pleasing of his will; so it seemeth to me only to mean that Were there no Positive supernatural promise, yet the very Law of nature (which is Gods first Law) containeth such a signification of his will [that he will love, and bless those that love him and obey him] as is indeed a kind of natural promise. And it is to be noted that all the Heathen World, who know not the written promise do agree in this as a natural Verity, that God loveth and is pleased with Goodness, love and obedience, and that it shall go well with them that are so qualified. And if we should forget the Papists, and preach to religious people with us, that there is no Goodness in the Divine Nature and Image of God, and in Holy love and obedient fruitful lives, for which God would love or be pleased with such as have them (supposing Redemption and the merits of Christ) any more than with the wicked, if it were not that he hath promised▪ (as if he had been surprised into a promise, not suited to the nature of the thing,) this would be abhorred by the same professors, who in other words, as it seemeth to be against Popery, will applaud it. But in all this you must remember, that it is presupposed that mans soul is before made Immortal by God as Creator; and that he might anni late the most holy Creature if he will: But he hath declared that he will not, partly by the Nature of his soul, and partly by his natural and positive revelations: so that it is presupposed that God will continue us men; and then Holiness will be a proportionable Happiness.