A26923:1126
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.
§. 49. This is easily understood by Parents, who intend to give their Children freely, out of mere love, their Inheritance, and what else they want: And yet they will give them Gold or Clothes or Food, in so wise a manner, as shall engage them to their Duty, and will say, Put off your Hat and thank me, or Do this or that (which is for their own good) and I will give you this. Here it is a Gift as to the Goodness, and a Reward as to the order of giving it.
§. 49. This is easily understood by Parens, who intend to give their Children freely, out of meer love, their Inheritance, and what else they want: And yet they will give them Gold or Clothes or Food, in so wise a manner, as shall engage them to their Duty, and will say, Put off your Hat and thank me, or Do this or that (which is for their own good) and I will give you this. Here it is a Gift as to the Goodness, and a Reward as to the order of giving it.
§. 50. 7. The ancient Christians (as the Writings of all the Ancients commonly show) did use the word Merit without any scruple; and I remember not that any Christians did ever gainsay it or take the use of it for a fault: Yet did they contradict mens carnal erroneous Conceits of Man's Merit, as well as we: Yet now our opposition to Popery hath brought the word into so great distaste with many good Protestants, as that they take it to signify some dangerous self-arrogating Doctrine: So great is the power of Prejudice and Contest.
§. 50. 7. The ancient Christians (as the Writings of all the Ancients commonly shew) did use the word Merit without any scruple; and I remember not that any Christians did ever gainsay it or take the use of it for a fault: Yet did they contradict mens carnal erroneous Conceits of Man's Merit, as well as we: Yet now our opposition to Popery hath brought the word into so great distate with many good Protestants, as that they take it to signifie some dangerous self-arrogating Doctrine: So great is the power of Prejudice and Contest.