A26974:529
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.
7. Reconciliation and final Justification is given to us in title, If we continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel, &c. Col. 1.23.
8. In our first Believing we take Christ in the Relation of a Saviour, and Teacher, and Lord, to save us from all sin, and to lead us to glory. This therefore importeth that we accordingly submit unto him, in those his Relations, as a necessary means to the obtaining of the benefits of the Relations. Our first faith is our Contract with Christ, or Acceptance of him as our Saviour: And all contracts of such nature, do impose a necessity of performing what we consent to and promise, in order to the benefits. To take Christ for my Saviour, is to take him to save me, viz. from the power and guilt of sin; therefore if I will not be saved by him when I have done, but had rather keep my sin, then I did but nominally and hypocritically take him for my Saviour. To take him for my Teacher and become his Disciple, importeth my Learning of him, as necessary to the benefit.
And in humane contracts it is so. Barely to take a Prince for her husband may entitle a woman to his honours and lands: But conjugal fidelity is also necessary for the continuance of them: for Adultery would cause a divorce. Consent and listing may make a man your Soldier: but obedience and service is as necessary to the Continuance, and the Reward. Consent may make a man your servant, without any service, and so give ⟨p. 124⟩him entertainment in your family. But if he do not actually serve you, these shall not be continued, nor the wages obtained. Consent may enter a Scholar into your School: but if he will not Learn of you, he shall not be continued there. For all these after-violations cross the ends of the Relations. Consent may make you the subject of a Prince, but obedience is necessary to the continuance of your Privileges. All Covenants usually tie men to somewhat which is to be performed to the full attainment of their ends. The Covenant-making may admit you, but its the Covenant-keeping that must continue you in your privileges, and perfect them. See more in my Confess. pag. 47.