A26923:386
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.
§. 8. In general we should be most cautious, 1. That we disparage not any Power or Endowment which is God's own Work, whether natural or gracious. 2. That we give not too much to any Work that is proper to Man.
§. 9. Natural Power, of Vital Action, Intellection and Volition, is supposed by God as Lawgiver in his Subjects; that is, that we are Men.
§. 10. Every act of Knowledge, Faith, Repentance, Love and Obedience is done by our natural Powers or Faculties, and none without them.
§. 11. The word [Moral Power] signifieth, 1. Sometimes a Power to moral actions, (and so natural Power in Man is also moral in some degree.) 2. Sometimes a Holy Disposition, especially in the Will, to such holy moral actions; which is the Rectitude of our natural Powers, or the Health of them in a saving degree or sort, and is the Gift of Grace, since Sin departed. 3. Most frequently I use the words for such a degree of God's helping or healing Influx or Grace, as is short of a Habit for promptitude and facility, but yet puts the soul in such a disposition, by which Man can do the Act, (and it may come to pass without more Grace whether it do or not) which the Dominicans call Sufficient Grace, and I rather call Necessary Grace. 4. Sometimes it is meant (as causa moralis) for that which is Power Reputatively.