A26974:321
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.
Though we have said enough already on these Questions (which for dispatch I join together,) yet seeing there are some that must needs have more, or the same again; I shall yield so far to their Importunity, as to recite here briefly the state of the Controversy, and some of that evidence which is elsewhere more largely produced for the truth.
THough we have said enough already on these Questions (which for dispatch I joyn together,) yet seeing there are some that must needs have more, or the same again; I shall yield so far to their Importunity, as to recite here briefly the state of the Controversie, and some of that evidence which is elsewhere more largely produced for the truth.
And First, We must explain what is meant by Works, and what is meant by Justification; what by a [Condition] and what by the Preposition by here, when we speak of Justification by works: And then we shall lay down the truth in several propositions, Negative and Affirmative.
It seems strange to me to hear men on either side to speak ⟨p. 70⟩against the Negative or Affirmative of the Question, and reproach so bitterly those that maintain them, without any distinction or explication; as if either the error lay in the terms, or the terms were so plain and univocal, that the Propositions are true only on one part, what sense soever they be taken in. No doubt but he saith true, that saith that Works are the Condition of Justification: and he saith as true, that saith they are not, if they take the terms in such different senses as commonly Disputers on these Questions do take them. And its past all doubt that [a man is justified by faith without the works of the Law; and that it is not of Works, but of Grace: and its as certain that [a man is justified by works and not by faith only; and that by their Words men shall be justified, and by their Words they shall be condemned.] Gods word were not true, if both these were not true.