A26974:1167
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.
Question. Whether the Faith which Paul opposeth to Works in the Point of Justification, be one only Physical Act of the Soul? Neg. OR, Whether all Humane Acts, except one Physical Act of faith, be the Works which are excluded by Paul in the Point of Justification? Neg.
I PUT these two Questions together for brevity and Elucidation of the Matter in doubt; for so in effect they are but One▪ avoiding all unnecessary Explication of terms concerning which we are agreed; it is but little that I have need to say for your understanding of the sense of the Question.
1. It is here supposed that Paul doth maintain Justification by Faith, and opposeth it to Justification ⟨p. 402⟩by the works of the Law: and so opposeth Salvation by Grace and by works. 2. It is supposed that non datur tertium, there is no middle way of Justification besides these two, by faith, or by Works: and therefore whatsoever Acts we are here justified by, it must needs follow, that those Acts are none of the [Works] that Paul here speaketh of as excluded: and whatsoever Acts are excluded are none of the Faith, by which Paul telleth us here that we are justified. This we are agreed on, and so it is often pressed by my Opponents that there is no third way; which I grant them. But note that I do not therefore grant them that there is no tertium, or other act either implied in Faith, or subservient to it in that way of Justification that is by Faith: It was never Pauls meaning to exclude all other Gracious Acts relating to Christ, no not from this business of Justification, as attendants on Faith, or modifications of it, implied in it, or subservient to it, And therefore it will not follow that any third thing by which we are thus justified, is either Faith or Works; but only that is not Works, because they are excluded.