A26883:608
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.
345. The •bligation aut ad obedientiam aut ad poenam is not of equality in the disjunctive. As if God were indifferent which we chose: But it is primarily ad obedientiam, and but subserviently ad poenam as a means against future disobedience, and a securing the ends of Government, in case of sin.
346. But the Preceptive and the Premiant parts, are each chief or final in several respects: God Commandeth us a Course of Duty or Right ⟨p. 54⟩action to this end, that we may be Happy in his Love. And he promiseth us first, and giveth us after in foretaste, this Happiness, to draw us to Duty.
347. But here is a wonderful inseparable twist; and in the main an Identity. God Ruleth us as a Father, or Regent Benefactor: All his Benefits are Free-gifts, as to the Thing and Value; But given 1. In an Order. 2. And the rest as means to the ultimate. In which respects they are a Reward, or means to it. His very Law is a Gift and a great Benefit. Duty is the means to keep his first Gifts and to receive more. The very doing of the duty is a receiving of the Reward; the object of duty being felicitating. (As if feasting or accepting offered wealth or honour were our work.) Holiness is happiness, in a great part. And in our End or state of perfection all will be one: To Love God, Rejoice in Him and praise him, will be both our duty and felicity, means and end, as it were, in one.