A26919:593
The divine life in three treatises
The divine life in three treatises ... by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for Francis Tyton, 1664
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
5. The contrary opinion tendeth to Infidelity, and to brutify humane Nature. For if no man can believe that he must be Holy and live to God, and enjoy him hereafter in Heaven, but he that also believeth that Primitive Nature was never disposed or qualified for such a life; and that God must first make a man another creature in specie, of another nature (and consequently not a man) this is not only so improbable, but so contrary to Scripture and Reason, that few considerate persons would believe it. As if we must believe that God would turn brutes into men. God healeth, elevateth and perfecteth Nature, but doth not specifically change it, at least in this life.
5. The contrary opinion tendeth to Infidelity, and to brutifie humane Nature. For if no man can believe that he must be Holy and live to God, and enjoy him hereafter in Heaven, but he that also believeth that Primitive Nature was never disposed or qualified for such a life; and that God must first make a man another creature in specie, of another nature (and consequently not a man) this is not only so improbable, but so contrary to Scripture and Reason, that few considerate persons would believe it. As if we must believe that God would turn brutes into men. God healeth, elevateth and perfecteth Nature, but doth not specificially change it, at least in this life.
Obj. But let it be granted that he giveth not man specifically another Nature, yet he may give him such higher gifts, as may be like another Nature to him so far.
Answ. No doubt he may and doth give him such gifts as actuate and perfect Nature: but some Disposition to our ultimate end is essential to our Nature; and therefore to assign man another ultimate end, and to give a Disposition to it, of which he had no seed, or part, or principle before, is to make him another creature. I confess that in lapsed man, the Holy Disposition is so far dead, as that the change maketh a man a New Creature in a Moral sense (as be is a New Man that changeth his mind and manners:) But still Nature hath its aptitude as Rational to be employed for its Maker; so that he is not a New Creature in a Natural sense.