A26974:885
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.
His third Argument is, [If faith justify only as the beginning of our Justification then there are degrees of Justification: but there are no degrees. Ergo.] Answer. 1. Faith is neither the Beginning nor End of Justification, but a means of it. 2. If you would insinuate that I deny faith to be the means of our continued, as well as begun Justification, you deal deceitfully. 3. I deny your Consequence. It may prove more necessary to the Continuance of our Justification, then to its beginning, and yet prove no degrees. 4. But how Justification hath or hath not Degrees, I have told you before; and fuller in other writings.
His third Argument is, [If faith justifie only as the beginning of our Justification then there are degrees of Justification: but there are no degrees. Ergo.] Answer. 1. Faith is neither the Beginning nor End of Justification, but a means of it. 2. If you would insinuate that I deny faith to be the means of our continued, as well as begun Justification, you deal deceitfully. 3. I deny your Consequence. It may prove more necessary to the Continuance of our Justification, then to its beginning, and yet prove no degrees. 4. But how Justification hath or hath not Degrees, I have told you before; and fuller in other writings.
His fourth Argument is, [Because good works do not precede, but follow Justification.] Answer. 1. Repentance, and the Love of God in Christ, and faith in Christ as Lord, and Head, and Teacher, do go before the pardon of sin, and so before Justification. 2. External obedience goeth before Justification at Judgement and Justification as continued here. Did you doubt of these?
His fifth Argument is, that [These two Justifications overthrow each other: If by one we have peace with God, what need the other? How can good works perfect our Justification, being themselves imperfect?] Answer. All this is answered in the second Disputation. 1. Its no contradiction to be justified by God, by Christ, by Faith, by Words, by Works, if God be to be believed, that affirmeth all. 2. As imperfect faith may be the condition of pardon, so may imperfect Repentance, and imperfect Obedience of our sentential Absolution.