A26923:1118
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.
3. No man can merit any thing of God, unless it be supposed first to be a free Gift and merited by Christ.
§. 42. And affirmatively we are (I think) agreed; 1. That God governeth us by a Law of Grace, which hath a Promise or Premiant part, which giveth (not the antecedent, but many consequent benefits) by way of Reward: To deny the rewarding act, is to deny God's Law, and the manner of his Government.
§. 43. 2. That God calleth it his Justice to reward men according to his Law, and give them what it gave them right to. Insomuch, that it is made the second Article of our Faith, Heb. 11. 6. to believe that God is the rewarder of them that diligently seek him. And he giveth it as a righteous Judge, 2 Tim. 4. 8.
§. 43. 2. That God calleth it his Iustice to reward men according to his Law, and give them what it gave them right to. Insomuch, that it is made the second Article of our Faith, Heb. 11. 6. to believe that God is the rewarder of them that diligently seek him. And he giveth it as a righteous Iudge, 2 Tim. 4. 8.