A26923:1124
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.
§. 47. 6. This Worthiness or Merit is only in point of Paternal Governing-Justice, according to the Law of Grace, ordering that which in it self is a free Gift merited by Christ.
§. 47. 6. This Worthiness or Merit is only in point of Paternal Governing-Iustice, according to the Law of Grace, ordering that which in it self is a free Gift merited by Christ.
§. 48. For no Man or Angel can have any thing of God, but by free Gift: What have we which we receive not, when our being is of God? Therefore it must be of governing ordering Justice only: The thing is a Gift; but God will give this Gift to his Children so wisely as to the Order of it, as shall be fittest to attain his ends. Therefore it is not by Governing Justice after the Law of Innocency or Works, but according to the Law of ⟨p. 293⟩Grace. So that the sum of the Solution is, That 1. the Good received in its value, as Good is of God as a Benefactor and a free Gift. 2. But in Order of Collation, it is of God as a wise and righteous Governor, even a governing Father, and so only it is a Reward, and so it is merited.
§. 48. For no Man or Angel can have any thing of God, but by free Gift: What have we which we receive not, when our being is of God? Therefore it must be of governing ordering Iustice only: The thing is a Gift; but God will give this Gift to his Children so wisely as to the Order of it, as shall be fittest to attain his ends. Therefore it is not by Governing Justice after the Law of Innocency or Works, but according to the Law of ⟨p. 293⟩Grace. So that the sum of the Solution is, That 1. the Good received in its value, as Good is of God as a Benefactor and a free Gift. 2. But in Order of Collation, it is of God as a wise and righteous Governour, even a governing Father, and so only it is a Reward, and so it is merited.