A26974:581
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.
Answ. 1. But what are those All things? 2. And what Reference to Justification is it? If All things simply in all relation to Justification, then he must judge the Gospel dung and dross as to the Instrumental collation of Justification; and the Sacraments dung and dross as to the sealing of it; and the Ministry dung and dross, as to the preaching and offering it, and beseeching men to be reconciled to God: and Faith to be dung and dross, as to the receiving of it; as well as Repentance and Faith to be dung and dross as conditions of it; or Prayer, Obedience, as conditions of continuing it.
2. Its evident in the text that Pauls speaks of All things that stand in opposition to Christ, and that stand in competition with him, as such; and not of any thing that stands in a necessary subordination to him as such.
3. He expressly addeth in the text, [for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord] this therefore is none of the [all things that are dung] for the All things are opposed to this. And it containeth that faith, which is works with the Opponents: for this is more then a recumbency on Christ as Priest: It is the Knowledge of him as Lord also. I am confident I shall never learn to expound Paul thus [I esteem All ⟨p. 141⟩things, even the knowledge of Christ Jesus as Lord and Prophet, as dung for the Knowledge of him as Priest.] Also Paul here excepteth his suffering the loss of that All. I am confident that the [All] that Paul suffered the loss of, comprehended not his Self-denial, Repentance, Prayer, Charity, Hope, &c.
3. He expresly addeth in the text, [for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord] this therefore is none of the [all things that are dung] for the All things are opposed to this. And it containeth that faith, which is works with the Opponents: for this is more then a recumbency on Christ as Priest: It is the Knowledge of him as Lord also. I am confident I shall never learn to expound Paul thus [I esteem All