A26974:480
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.
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.)
Argument 1. Ex natura rei; There are many Moral Acts that make not the Reward from men to be of Debt, and not of Grace: Much less will such Works make the Reward from God to be of Debt, and not of Grace. The Consequence is grounded on these two or three Reasons. 1. God is infinitely above us; and therefore less capable of being obliged by our works then man. 3. God is our absolute Proprietary, and we are wholly his; and therefore we can give him nothing but his own. 3. God is our Supreme Rector, and we are bound to a perfect fulfilling of his Law: and we are sinners that have broke that Law, and deserve eternal death: therefore we are less capable of obliging him by our works as our Debtor, then of obliging men (and indeed uncapable.) 4. Gods Reward is Eternal Glory, and mans is but some transitory thing: therefore we are less capable of making God our Debtor for Justification ⟨p. 112⟩and Salvation, then man for a trifle. This proves the Consequence.
Argument 1. Ex natura rei; There are many Moral Acts that make not the Reward from men to be of Debt, and not of Grace: Much less will such Works make the Reward from God to be of Debt, and not of Grace. The Consequence is grounded on these two or three Reasons. 1. God is infinitely above us; and therefore less capable of being obliged by our works then man. 3. God is our absolute Proprietary, and we are wholly his; and therefore we can give him nothing but his own. 3. God is our Supreme Rector, and we are bound to a perfect fulfilling of his Law: and we are sinners that have broak that Law, and deserve eternal death: therefore we are less capable of obliging him by our works as our Debtor, then of obliging men (and indeed uncapable.) 4. Gods Reward is Eternal Glory, and mans is but some transitory thing: therefore we are less capable of making God our Debtor for Justification