A26974:889
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.
Pag. 241. He proves that works justify not subordinate to Faith] thus [Argument 1. No good works were found till faith had done its Works] Answer. 1. Faith hath not done its work till death; we are not justified only by the first act of faith: but by after-acts to the Death. 2. Faith in Christ as Head, and Lord, and Teacher, and Desire and Repentance were found before Faith had justified us. 3. Obedience is found before the sentential Justification, or the continuation of our first received Righteousness.
Pag. 241. He proves that works justifie not subordinate to Faith] thus [Argument 1. No good works were found till faith had done its Works] Answer. 1. Faith hath not done its work till death; we are not justified only by the first act of faith: but by after-acts to the Death. 2. Faith in Christ as Head, and Lord, and Teacher, and Desire and Repentance were found before Faith had justified us. 3. Obedience is found before the sentential Justification, or the continuation of our first received Righteousness.
His second Argument is, [Because good works are the effects of Faith and Justification, and therefore cannot be the cause.] Answer 1. They are none of the cause at all. Its not well to intimate that we hold them the cause, as in despite of all our own denials. 2. They are not so much as Means or Antecedents of that part of Justification, of which they are the effect. The act of faith which you will exercise before your death, is as true a condition (or Instrument, if you will needs call it so) of your Justification as continued, as your first act of faith was of your Justification as begun. And yet that act of faith is but fruit of your first Justification, as well as Obedience is.
His second Argument is, [Because good works are the effects of Faith and Justification, and therefore cannot be the cause.] Answer 1. They are none of the cause at all. Its not well to intimate that we hold them the cause, as in despight of all our own denyals. 2. They are not so much as Means or Antecedents of that part of Justification, of which they are the effect. The act of faith which you will exercise before your death, is as true a condition (or Instrument, if you will needs call it so) of your Justification as continued, as your first act of faith was of your Justification as begun. And yet that act of faith is but fruit of your first Justification, as well as Obedience is.