A26923:516
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 3: Of the Law or Covenant of Grace in the first Edition.
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.
§. 4. Man being after guilt of death, thus reprieved and enriched with manifold Mercies, and his life and faculties continued with many instructing providential helps and means, the very Law of Nature now obligeth him to love and thankfulness to God that showeth him so great kindness.
§. 4. Man being after guilt of death, thus reprieved and enriched with manifold Mercies, and his life and faculties continued with many instructing providential helps and means, the very Law of Nature now obligeth him to love and thankfulness to God that sheweth him so great kindness.
§. 5. And the same Law of Nature obligeth him to take that God still for a God of Love and Mercy, and to believe, that what Mercy he hath already showed the World and us, is on terms which he knoweth to be very well consistent with his Holiness, Truth and Justice: And it obligeth us therefore to seek to him for Mercy, and to use all possible means for further hope and pardon and recovery, and not to sit down in despair.
§. 5. And the same Law of Nature obligeth him to take that God still for a God of Love and Mercy, and to believe, that what Mercy he hath already shewed the World and us, is on terms which he knoweth to be very well consistent with his Holiness, Truth and Justice: And it obligeth us therefore to seek to him for Mercy, and to use all possible means for further hope and pardon and recovery, and not to sit down in despair.
§. 6. The common sense of all Mankind from Adam to this day, acquainteth us by that experience, ⟨p. 128⟩That these Hopes and Duties are found in the Law of lapsed Nature: For all the World that never heard the Gospel, do yet take God to be a merciful, forgiving God, and take themselves to be under some duty for the obtaining of further mercy, recovery and felicity.