A26974:568
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. pag. 232. Argu. 8. That cannot be a condition of Justification, which it self needeth Justification: But good works being imperfect, and having much dross cleaving, need a Justification to take that guilt away.
Answ. First Again, hearken all you that have so long denied the Covenant to have any conditions at all: Here is an Argument to maintain your cause: for it makes as much against ⟨p. 137⟩faith as any other acts (which they call works) for faith is imperfect also, and needs Justification, (a pardon I suppose you mean; I had rather talk of pardoning my sins, then justifying them, or any imperfections what ever.)
Answ. First Again, hearken all you that have so long denyed the Covenant to have any conditions at all: Here is an Argument to maintain your cause: for it makes as much against ⟨p. 137⟩faith as any other acts (which they call works) for faith is imperfect also, and needs Justification, (a pardon I suppose you mean; I had rather talk of pardoning my sins, then justifying them, or any imperfections what ever.)
Secondly, But indeed its too gross a shift to help your cause. The Major is false, and hath nothing to tempt a man to believe it that I can see. Faith and Repentance are considerable. First, As sincere. Secondly, As imperfect: They are not the conditions of pardon as imperfect, but as sincere. God doth not say [I will pardon you if you will not perfectly believe,] but [If you will believe.] Imperfection is sin: and God makes not sin a condition of pardon and life. I am not able to conceive what it was that in your mind could seem a sufficient reason for this Proposition, that nothing can be a condition that needs a pardon. Its true, that in the same respect as it needs a pardon; that is, as it is a sin, it can be no condition. But faith as faith, Repentance as Repentance is no sin.