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,…

204. Whether the Natural Powers be properly called A Power to Believe, Repent, Love God, &c. without the Moral Power or right disposition? though it be a question of some use among the Contenders about these matters, yet it is chiefly de nomine, and therefore of the less moment. This is to be granted of all de re, ^†that Unbelievers want not that Natural Power or faculty, which can Believe and Repent if duly suscitated and disposed: But through an Ill Disposition and contrary course of action, and want of due excitation, that Power will not Act, without Gods special Grace. Which [Will not] signifieth, 1. The Undisposedness, 2. The Non-agency: And in strictest speech, the former is best expressed by [The Will is undisposed and averse to Believe, &c.] and the latter by [The Will doth not consent.] But the first may be expressed by [It cannot] because it will not come to pass: Though it is no such [Cannot] as is distinct from [Will not] but the very same. And as [Power] is distinct from [Will] and a man is said to be Able to do that which [he can do if he will], so no doubt but he that Will Believe and Repent, can do it, so far as he is Willing. And this is it that Augustine so much pleadeth for, when he would have us distinguish [Cannot] and [Will not], and when he saith, that Posse Credere est Omnium; Credere autem fidelium.

204. Whether the Natural Powers be properly called A Power to Believe, Repent, Love God, &c. without the Moral Power or right disposition? though it be a question of some use among the Contenders about these matters, yet it is chiefly de nomine, and therefore of the less moment. This is to be granted of all de re, ^†that Unbelievers want not that Natural Power or faculty, which can Believe and Repent if duly suscitated and disposed: But through an Ill Disposition and contrary course of action, and want of due excitation, that Power will not Act, without Gods special Grace. Which [Will not] signifieth, 1. The Undisposedness, 2. The Non-agency: And in strictest speech, the former is best expressed by [The Will is undisposed and averse to Believe, &c.] and the latter by [The Will doth not consent.] But the first may be expressed by [It cannot] because it will not come to pass: Though it is no such [Cannot] as is distinct from [Will not] but the very same. And as [Power] is distinct fom [Will] and a man is said to be Able to do that which [he can do if he will], so no doubt but he that Will Believe and Repent, can do it, so far as he is Willing. And this is it that Augustine so much pleadeth for, when he would have us distinguish [Cannot] and [Will not], and when he saith, that Posse Credere est Omnium; Credere autem fidelium.