A26974:410
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
Whether Works are a Condition of Justification? And so whether we a… › Part
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.
Answ. And I desire you to observe, that if it be no dishonour to Christ, that we be there (through his grace) everlastingly justified without his Imputed righteousness, or pardon, or faith pro futuro, it cannot be any dishonour to him here, that we should repent, and believe, and be sanctified, nor that those should be conditions of further mercy, and sufficient of themselves to justify us against any false charge that we are Impenitent unsanctified Infidels. If a perfect cure disgrace not our Physician then sure an imperfect cure and the acknowledgement of it, is no dishonour to our Physician now.
Answ. And I desire you to observe, that if it be no dishonour to Christ, that we be there (through his grace) everlastingly justified without his Imputed righteousness, or pardon, or faith pro futuro, it cannot be any dishonour to him here, that we should repent, and believe, and be sanctified, nor that those should be conditions of further mercy, and sufficient of themselves to justifie us against any false charge that we are Impenitent unsanctified Infidels. If a perfect cure disgrace not our Physitian then sure an imperfect cure and the acknowledgement of it, is no dishonour to our Physitian now.
Treat. pag. 137. Thus all those Arguments, If we be Justified by faith, then by our own work, and that this is to give too much to faith, yea more then some say they do to works, which they hold a condition of our Justification; All these and the like Objections vanish; because we are not justified by faith, as Justification is considered actively, but passively.
Answ. 1. I yet think that I have said enough in my private Papers to you, to confute the conceit of faith's being Passive. 2. If I had not, yet you yield me what I desire: If faith act not, but suffer, to our Justification, then is it no efficient Instrumental cause. For all true efficiency is by Action. And so you keep but a Metaphorical Instrument. But of this more hereafter.