A26923:264
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
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. Therefore it is certain that God from Eternity did will or decree so to do: For the event in time, maketh it fit so to denominate God's etern• will: Though there was nothing before the Creation really but God; and so real existent Man was not the Object of his Will; and Man in esse cognito, was nothing but God himself, there being nothing else from Eternity (except as Eternity comprehendeth Time.)
§. 4. In the same manner as God bringeth men to Grace and Glory, he willeth or decreeth to do it: For his Decree to do it, is no real Act of God distinct from his Essence; but it is his simple essential will denominated from the effect related to it. Therefore the Controversies about Election ⟨p. 37⟩•re resolved into those about the giving of Grace •nd Salvation; and there will be clearlier opened.
§. 4. In the same manner as God bringeth men to Grace and Glory, he willeth or decreeth to do it: For his Decree to do it, is no real Act of God distinct from his Essence; but it is his simple essential will denominated from the effect related to it. Therefore the Controversies about Election ⟨p. 37⟩•re resolved into those about the giving of Grace •nd Salvation; and there will be clearlier ope•ed.
§. 5. Glorification, Perseverance, Adoption, justification, Sanctification, Faith and Repentance or Vocation) preparatory common Grace, and he Gospel, and other means of Conversion, are several Gifts of God's Grace through Christ: Therefore God's Decrees to give them may be liversly denominated from relation to the effect. The Decree to glorify may be distinguished from the Decree to convert, to justify, c. And yet where all these are really conjoined, and are but (as the parts of one Engine) the several gifts which make up One Salvation, as the object or effect is in that sense One, so may God's Decree be called One, as related to it. So that they that say God's Decrees about our Salvation are many, and they that say They are one, do both speak Truth, and disagree not.