A26923:556
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.
§. 19. By the words [He that doth these things shall live by them] as distinguished from believing, Paul meant not that the Condition of the Jewish Covenant of Peculiarity or Law, was the same perfect Innocency as was required in the first Law of Adam; for when Man was actually guilty, it was impossible that he should ever become one that had not sinned: And we must not put such a scorn on the infinitely wise and righteous Governor of the World, as to suppose him to have such a Law or Covenant as this [If you that are sinners are not sinners you shall be saved], much less to make this a Covenant of peculiar favour.
§. 19. By the words [He that doth these things shall live by them] as distinguished from believing, Paul meant not that the Condition of the Jewish Covenant of Peculiarity or Law, was the same perfect Innocency as was required in the first Law of Adam; for when Man was actually guilty, it was impossible that he should ever become one that had not sinned: And we must not put such a scorn on the infinitely wise and righteous Governour of the World, as to suppose him to have such a Law or Covenant as this [If you that are sinners are not sinners you shall be saved], much less to make this a Covenant of peculiar favour.
§. 20. Nor doth Paul mean, That the Laws Condition was [If you will never sin more, I will pardon all that's past]. For God never made such a Law with man; not to sin being morally impossible to them, and Pardon never offered on such terms.
§. 21. To put all out of doubt, 1. God before hand proclaimed the Name of that God from whom they received their Law, Exod. 34. 6, 7. The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long suffering and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping Mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin, though he will by no means clear the guilty. (That is, He will not judge a Sinner to be no Sinner, nor the Wicked to be Godly, nor pardon and save any contrary to the established terms of his Covenant.) 2. And the Law it self hath many express means of forgiveness of Sin appointed, as sacrificing, confessing, &c. which showeth that it was a Law of Grace.