A26974:1113
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.
Why should obeying the Gospel, and obeying the Truth, be made Synonima's with Believing as it is one single Act, when the Gospel commands many other Acts as of equal necessity and excellency? Let me argue thus ex concessis, from your self and others. Most Divines affirm that the proper Reason why Faith justifieth, is its Relation to Christ; because it is a Receiving of him (it justifies Relative i.e. A Christ received Justifies:) but Mr. Tombs confesseth that other Graces receive Christ as well as Faith: therefore ⟨p. 369⟩other Graces justify as well as Faith. The Consequence is a Quatenus ad Omne.
Why should obeying the Gospel, and obeying the Truth, be made Synonima's with Believing as it is one single Act, when the Gospel commands many other Acts as of aequal necessity and excellency? Let me argue thus ex concessis, from your self and others. Most Divines affirm that the proper Reason why Faith justifieth, is its Relation to Christ; because it is a Receiving of him (it justifies Relative i.e. A Christ received Justifies:) but Mr. Tomb•s confesseth that other Graces receive Christ as well as Faith: therefore ⟨p. 369⟩other Graces justifie as well as Faith. The Consequence is a Quatenus ad Omne.
What [Greek or Hebrew] and [Greek or Hebrew] import in their first signification, is not to our business so much as in what sense they are commonly used: No doubt they may signify properly our yielding to persuasion, improperly called Obeying: but that they are put for proper Obeying usually in Scripture, most Interpreters affirm. You may therefore as well draw to your purpose the Latin Obedire, because it is but quasi ob-audire. Indeed the Obedience to a Teacher (as to Christ and his Ministers, and of Scholars to their Master) who useth both Argument and Authority, is fully and fitly expressed in those words. The word [Gospel] is principally spoken of the Doctrine of Good tidings or Mercy by Christ (but sure not only of the Historical or Declaratory part, but also, yea principally of the Promise or Offer:) but the whole New Covenant or Law of Christ (for so it is, and so the Ancients unanimously call it) containing Precepts and Threatenings also, is called his Testament, Covenant, Gospel, being so denominated from the more excellent part.