A26974:218
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 Consequence cannot be denied, if it be but understood that this unbelief doth thus specially condemn, not in general as sin, or by the mere greatness of it, but as the privation of that faith by which only men are justified. For Privatives show what the Positives are. And if this unbelief did condemn only as a sin in general then all sin would condemn as it doth: but that is false. And if it condemned only as a great sin, then first, every sin as great would condemn as it doth; and secondly, it would be Derogatory to the preciousness and power of the Remedy, which is sufficient against the greatest sins, as great: It remains therefore that as it is not for the special worth of faith above all other Graces, that God assigned it to be the condition of Justification; so it is not for a special greatness in the sin of unbelief that it is the specially condemning sin, but as it is the Privation of that faith (which because of its peculiar aptitude to that Office, is made of such necessity to our Justification.
The Consequence cannot be denyed, if it be but understood that this unbelief doth thus specially condemn, not in general as sin, or by the meer greatness of it, but as the privation of that faith by which only men are justified. For Privatives shew what the Positives are. And if this unbelief did condemn only as a sin in general then all sin would condemn as it doth: but that is false. And if it condemned only as a great sin, then first, every sin as great would condemn as it doth; and secondly, it would be Derogatory to the preciousness and power of the Remedy, which is sufficient against the greatest sins, as great: It remains therefore that as it is not for the special worth of faith above all other Graces, that God assigned it to be the condition of Justification; so it is not for a special greatness in the sin of unbelief that it is the specially condemning sin, but as it is the Privation of that faith (which because of its peculiar aptitude to that Office, is made of such necessity to our Justification.
But saith Mr, Blake [This is like the old Argument; Evil works merit condemnation: therefore good works merit salvation. An ill meaning damns our good meaning; therefore saves.]