A26974:1213
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.
The Reason of the Consequence is, because no man is able to tell you which is the sole justifying Act, or which are the only acts, if it be not faith Essentially that is it; for among all the acts before mentioned, if a man mistake and think one ⟨p. 417⟩other (E. g. faith in Christs Resurrection, in Christ as King, Judge, Teacher, &c.) is it by which he must be justified, then he falls upon Justification by Works, and so falls short of Grace: for if it be of Works, then it is no more of Grace: else Works were no Works. And so no man can tell but he destroyeth Grace, and expecteth Justification by works: much less can weak Christians tell. I never yet saw or heard from any Divine a just Nomination (with proof) of the one Justifying act, or a just Enumeration of the many acts, if all must not be taken in that are Essential. Some say Affiance is the only act: but as that's confuted by the most that take in Assent also, so there are many and many acts of Affiance in Christ that are necessary: and they should tell us which of these it is.
The Reason of the Consequence is, because no man is able to tell you which is the sole justifying Act, or which are the only acts, if it be not faith Essentially that is it; for among all the acts before mentioned, if a man mistake and think one ⟨p. 417⟩other (E. g. faith in Christs Resurrection, in Christ as King, Judge, Teacher, &c.) is it by which he must be justified, then he falls upon Justification by Works, and so falls short of Grace: for if it be of Works, then it is no more of Grace: else Works were no Works. And so no man can tell but he destroyeth Grace, and expecteth Justification by works: much less can weak Christians tell. I never yet saw or heard from any Divine a just Nomination (with proof) of the one Justifying act, or a just Enumeration of the many acts, if all must not be taken in that are Essential. Some say Affiance is the only act: but as thats confuted by the most that take in Assent also, so there are many and many acts of Affiance in Christ that are necessary: and they should tell us which of these it is.