A26923:1074
An end of doctrinal controversies which have lately troubled the churches
An end of doctrinal controversies which have lately troubled the churches by reconciling explication without much disputing. Written by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for John Salusbury, 1691
Chapter 25: Of good Works and Merit, and trusting to any thing of our own.
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.
§. 2. I. It is one of the Devil's chief Policies in the World, to cast out Christ's Interest by its Counterfeits: To expugn true Wisdom by counterfeit Wisdom, and true Faith by counterfeit Faith, and true Zeal and Piety by counterfeit Zeal and Piety, and true Unity, and Concord, and Peace, by their Counterfeits, and true Worship, Ministry, Discipline, by their Counterfeits; and true Comfort by counterfeit Comfort; and so also it is by counterfeit good Works, that good Works are oft cast off.
§. 3. The measure of all created Goodness, is the Will of the Creator, who is the prime, essential Good; and no Work of Man is morally good, but what is made so by the Will of God; that is, 1. Efficiently, by his operative Will: 2. Directively, by his commanding Will: And, 3. Finally and Objectively, by his pleased, or fulfilled Will. Man's Wit, Will, or Interest cannot serve to make any action morally good.
§. 4. He that intendeth God's Honour, and the pleasing of his Will, and the good of his own or others Souls, or the safety of Religion, or the Church, or State, and useth means hereto, not commanded, or any way appointed him of God (much more if directly forbidden) doth not a Work that is truly good, but only secundum quid.