A26974:832
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
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. Your Affirmation is no proof, and my distinguishing them is not confounding them. Inherent Righteousness in its first seed and acts belongs to Sanctification, as its Beginning, or first part, or root: And to Justification and Pardon as a Means or Condition: But Inherent Righteousness, in its strength and progress, belongs to Sanctification as the Matter of it, and to our final Justification in Judgement as part of the means or condition: but no otherwise to our first Justification, then as a necessary fruit or consequent of it.
Answ. Your Affirmation is no proof, and my distinguishing them is not confounding them. Inherent Righteousness in its first seed and acts belongs to Sanctification, as its Begining, or first part, or root: And to Justification and Pardon as a Means or Condition: But Inherent Righteousness, in its strength and progress, belongs to Sanctification as the Matter of it, and to our final Justification in Judgement as part of the means or condition: but no otherwise to our first Justification, then as a necessary fruit or consequent of it.
Object. 5. By this means you make Sanctification to go before Justification, as a Condition or means to it: when Divines commonly put it after.
Answ. 1. Mr. Pemble, and those that follow him, put Sanctification before all true Justification, (though they call Gods immanent eternal Act, a precedent Justification.) 2. The case is easy, if you will not confound the verbal part of the controversy with the Real. What is it that you call Sanctification? 1. If it be the first special Grace in Act or Habit, so you will confess, that Sanctification goeth first: For we repent and believe before we are pardoned or justified. 2. If it be any further degrees or fruits, or exercise of Grace, then we are agreed that Justification goeth before it. 3. If it be both beginning and progress, faith and obedience that you call Sanctification, then part of it is before Justification, and part after. All this is plain; and that which I think we are agreed in.