A26974:471
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.
Treat. ib. Lastly, that all works are excluded, is evident by the Apostles allegation out of David, who makes mans blessedness to be in this, that God imputeth righteousness without works.
Answ. 1. This is sufficiently answered in the former. 2. Paul hence immediately concludeth that Righteousness comes not only on the Circumcision: whence you may see what works he means. 3. Your selves expound the foregoing term ungodly, of men that have not adequate holiness, though sincere; therefore you must so take this equipollent term [without works] for [without that adequate holiness]: but it follows not, that therefore its without any humane act. 4. Yet still I grant this also, that its without any humane act, considered as the matter of a Legal righteousness, or as opposite to Christ, or co-ordinate with him: but not without any humane act, as subordinate to Christ, and as the matter of that Evangelical righteousness which is required in this Constitution [Repent and Believe the Gospel] viz. sincerely.
Treat. pag. 223. And indeed it is at last confessed, that its faith only that makes the contract between God and the soul: that good works are not required to this initial consenting unto Christ, so as to make him ours, but in the progress. This is that in effect, which the Papists affirm in other words, That the first Justification is only by faith, but the second by good works.