A26923:474
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 12 › Section 1: Of the Law or Covenant of Innocency made to Adam.
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.
§. 13. 3. Man's Nature being not made in its utmost perfection, but in via, with a desire of knowing God, loving him, pleasing him, and delighting in him yet more, according to his Capacity, we may gather, That obedient Man should have attained that Perfection: For God maketh not the capacities, dispositions and desires of Nature in vain.
§. 14. But whether all this should have been given on Earth or in Heaven, is not so clear in Nature or Scripture: But, 1. The Translation of Enoch and Elijah maketh it probable, that so Man should have been translated. 2. And so doth the Glory purchased by the Redeemer. 3. And the matter is the less, because where-ever the place be, the same state of Enjoyment would make it a Heaven to such a person.
§. 14. But whether all this should have been given on Earth or in Heaven, is not so clear in Nature or Scripture: But, 1. The Translation of Henoch and Elias maketh it probable, that so Man should have been translated. 2. And so doth the Glory purchased by the Redeemer. 3. And the matter is the less, because where-ever the place be, the same state of Enjoyment would make it a Heaven to such a person.
§. 15. Neither doth Nature now tell us, How long Man must have obeyed before he had merited the full Reward of his Perfection. But only that he must conquer all the Temptations that God would try him with, and must persevere till God should please to translate him, not appointing him any determinate time. Nature and Scripture favour this.