A26974:893
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.
He adds that then [Obedience doth nihil agere, or actum agere.] Answer. It doth nihil efficere. But besides, [nihil] and [factum] there's two things oft mentioned, Justification at Judgement, and the non-amission of it here.
3. He insipidly gain disputes that [If an effect doth totally proceed from any cause, then it totally depends on it.] And what then? Therefore it solely dependeth on it: And if these things were true, what are they to our question? But saith he, [When good works, the fruit of faith are interrupted, yet our Justification abides by the single influence of faith only as a total cause of its being and conservation.] Answer. 1. Alas! What would such Disputants do with the Church, if Gods mercy did not hinder them! By your own Argument now, neither God, nor Christ, nor the Gospel are any causes of our Justification. ⟨p. 292⟩For you say Faith is a Total cause, and there can be but one Total Cause, unless you lose the honour of your Philosophy. 2. Faith is no proper cause at all. 3. Did you not see what must needs be answered you. That Faith is interrupted as well as Obedience, and yet no intercision of our Justification. When we sleep we do not (at least alway) act faith no more then obedience (if so much.) And the habit of both continueth together sleeping and waking: And if you should give over love and sincerity of obedience, you would cease to be justified.
3. He insipidly gain disputes that [If an effect doth totally proceed from any cause, then it totally depends on it.] And what then? Therefore it solely dependeth on it: And if these things were true, what are they to our question? But saith he, [When good works, the fruit of faith are interrupted, yet our Justification abides by the single influence of faith only as a total cause of its being and conservation.] Answer. 1. Alas! What would such Disputants do with the Church, if Gods mercy did not hinder them! By your own Argument now, neither God, nor Christ, nor the Gospel are any causes of our Justification. ⟨p. 292⟩