A26974:435
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.
Answer. Will you call to any judicious Reader, to tell you that which I particularly expressed to you? Again, Then let the judicious Reader judge whether you should have said to the world, any of the forementioned particulars; First, That I give any Causality to works as to Justification. Secondly, Or that I difference them only in degree of excellency. Thirdly, Or that I affirm, that we may say, justifying Repentance, justifying Love, as well as justifying faith. Fourthly, And this is affirmed positively, and vehemently: and all this when I had positively and vehemently denied them. Fifthly, Yea, and that only this is the question between us.
Answer. Will you call to any judicious Reader, to tell you that which I particularly exprest to you? Again, Then let the judicious Reader judge whether you should have said to the world, any of the forementioned particulars; First, That I give any Causality to works as to Justification. Secondly, Or that I difference them only in degree of excellency. Thirdly, Or that I affirm, that we may say, justifying Repentance, justifying Love, as well as justifying faith. Fourthly, And this is affirmed positively, and vehemently: and all this when I had positively and vehemently denyed them. Fifthly, Yea, and that only this is the question between us.
And what do your defences do to justify such dealing? [you said only Causality in general, and not Efficiency or Merit] And did not I openly and privately to you deny Causality in general, and not only Merit or Efficiency? and is that positive or vehement affirming it? Secondly, you said, Causalitas quaedam, which is terminus diminuens.] If quoad esse causalitatis it be terminus diminuens, then the meaning is, that I make them no causes. But do you think any Reader will English Causalitas quaedam, by [no Causality] But doubtless you mean that it is Terminus diminuens as to the quality or nobility of the cause. But first, I never heard before that quaedam was terminus diminuens; and if no Readers must understand you, but those that know this to be true, I think it will be but few. Secondly, But what if that were so? Did you not know that I denied even all causality, how diminute soever quaedam can express, if it be but ⟨p. 99⟩