A26923:736
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 16: Of the State of Heathens and others, that have not the Gospel.
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.
§. 15. Obj. God is not bound to change his Law, if man sin.
Ans. I answered this before, That God is not the Changer: But the Law will not continue to be a Law, but by continuing to signify God's governing Will: And it cannot so signify his governing Will, when there is no Subject to be a capable terminus: So that it ceased, cessante capacitate subditi, vel cessante termino. To say, That the Law still signifieth what God would have had man do while he was capable, is true; but that saith no more but that [It was once a Law, and now is none:] For so it may do by the dead, yea, were they annihilated, even tell others what God would have had them do, but this is not a ruling Act; but Lex transit in sententiam. And to say, That at least the Law bindeth a Sinner to perfect Obedience for the time to come, is to say, That it binds not as the Law of Innocency, but as some other Law, of which we are enquiring.
Ans. I answered this before, That God is not the Changer: But the Law will not continue to be a Law, but by continuing to signifie God's governing Will: And it cannot so signifie his governing Will, when there is no Subject to be a capable terminus: So that it ceased, cessante capacitate subditi, vel cessante termino. To say, That the Law still signifieth what God would have had man do while he was capable, is true; but that saith no more but that [It was once a Law, and now is none:] For so it may do by the dead, yea, were they annihilated, even tell others what God would have had them do, but this is not a ruling Act; but Lex transit in sententiam. And to say, That at least the Law bindeth a Sinner to perfect Obedience for the time to come, is to say, That it binds not as the Law of Innocency, but as some other Law, of which we are enquiring.
§. 16. And it is a clear Truth (before proved) That God brought all Mankind in Adam under a Law and Covenant of Grace, founded in the Promise of the Victory of the Woman's Seed: And his dealing with all men ever since, doth fully confirm