A26974:478
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. But if this be seriously thought on, it makes strongly against them; for the Apostles Argument is à Genere: if it be by works, its of Debt: therefore there are not works of Debt, and works of no Debt.
Answ. 1. If the Apostle argue à Genere, then he argueth not from an Equivocal term; and therefore of no works but what fall under his Genus. 2. And the Apostles Genus cannot be any thing merely Physical, because his subject and discourse is moral: and therefore it is not every act that he excludeth. 3. Nor can it be every Moral Act that is his Genus: but only Works in the notion that he useth the word; that is, All such Works as Workmen do for hire, who expect to receive wages for the worth or desert of their works.
Answ. 1. If the Apostle argue à Genere, then he argueth not from an Equivocal term; and therefore of no works but what fall under his Genus. 2. And the Apostles Genus cannot be any thing meerly Physical, because his subject and discourse is moral: and therefore it is not every act that he excludeth. 3. Nor can it be every Moral Act that is his Genus: but only Works in the notion that he useth the word; that is, All such Works as Workmen do for hire, who expect to receive wages for the worth or desert of their works.
I shall therefore here confute your assertion, and shall prove that All works do not make the Reward to be of Debt, and not of Grace: and consequently that Paul meaneth not either every Act, or every Moral Act, here; but only works supposed Rewardable for their value! (What you mean by Works of Debt, and Works not of Debt, I know not: they are not Scripture words, nor my words; For still I say, All Good works are of Debt to God from man.)