A26923:741
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.
§. 19. So that though there be difficulty in opening the Terms of the Law of Grace, as it stood to all Mankind besides the Jews, there is no difficulty to prove, that it did indeed so continue.
§. 19. So that though there be difficulty in opening the Terms of the Law of Grace, as it stood to all Mankind besides the Iews, there is no difficulty to prove, that it did indeed so continue.
§. 20. And that Christ hath not repealed or nullified that Law of Grace to the World that never have the Gospel, which they were under before his coming, is evident. 1. Because he came for the Benefit, and not the Destruction of the World, to make their Condition better, and not worse: But had he nullified that Law of Grace to all the World, and given them no better in its stead, save to a few, he had come directly by himself to take away their Mercies, and make them miserable. For it is certain, that though the Apostles Commission was to preach the Gospel to all Nations, and every Creature, yet it is comparatively but a small part of the World that ever heard it, or had the means to know and believe in Christ. And all the rest were under a Law of Grace before, and therefore are so still. 2. And •• Christ repealed that Law, by which Act did he do it? Not by making a better Edition, for that could not have any such Effect to them that never did, or could know of that Edition: And there is no other Repeal to be found in Scripture. 3. And if the Law of Grace be nullified to all the World that hear not the Gospel, are they since under any Law of God, or none; if none, they are either no Men or damned Men; for they are no governed Subjects: If they ⟨p. 196⟩are under any, what is it? The Law of Innocency I have proved it is not: And the GOSPEL (or second Edition of the Law of Grace) it is not: For that cannot oblige where it never is promulgate: It being a supernatural Revelation, can extend to none to whom it is not (directly or indirectly) sent: Therefore it is evident, that Christ leaveth such under that Law which he found them under.