A26974:1105
Of justification four disputations clearing and amicably defending the truth against the unnecessary oppositions…
Of justification four disputations clearing and amicably defending the truth against the unnecessary oppositions of divers learned and reverend brethren / by Richard Baxter ...
London: printed by R.W. for Nevil Simmons, 1658
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.
9. The Veil or Elicit act of the Will which I insist on, is the very first Act, and goes before Affiance (as it denotes any other Act of the Will:) Therefore either this Veil must be the justifying Faith and Reception of Christ, or else they must say that there is a saving reception of Christ that goes before the justifying or Reception: which sure they will not grant, that make that Faith the actus primas vitae spiritualis.
9. The Velle or Elicite act of the Will which I insist on, is the very first Act, and goes before Affiance (as it denotes any other Act of the Will:) Therefore either this Velle must be the justifying Faith and Reception of Christ, or else they must say that there is a saving reception of Christ that goes before the justifying or Reception: which sure they will not grant, that make that Faith the actus primas vitae spiritualis.
10. Lastly, The opinion seems to me so Improbable, without and against reason, and so dangerous [that God doth assign one only Act of the soul to the Office of justifying, especially the act of assent] that I dare not entertain it without proof It is improbable that in a Moral, Political, Theological Matter, the Holy Ghost should speak, as if it were in the strictest discourse of Physics. It is improbable that God should speak to man in such a Moral discourse, so as no men use to speak, and therefore so as men could not, without a further explication understand. Doth he that speaks of receiving a man to be our Husband, King, Master, &c. mean it of one only Act? (though I know Consent is the chief.) Or he that gives any great matter on Condition of such Receiving, Doth he mean that any one single Act is that Condition? Much less Assent.
10. Lastly, The opinion seems to me so Improbable, without and against reason, and so dangerous [that God doth assign one only Act of the soul to the Office of justifying, especially the act of assent] that I dare not entertain it without proof It is improbable that in a Moral, Political, Theological Matter, the Holy Ghost should speak, as if it were in the strictest discourse of Physicks. It is improbable that God should speak to man in such a Moral discourse, so as no men use to speak, and therefore so as men could not, without a further explication understand. Doth he that speaks of receiving a man to be our Husband, King, Master, &c. mean it of one only Act? (though I know Consent is the chief.) Or he that gives any great matter on Condition of such Receiving, Doth he mean that any one single Act is that Condition? Much less Assent.