A26982:61
Richard Baxter's penitent confession and his necessary vindication in answer to a book called…
Richard Baxter's penitent confession and his necessary vindication in answer to a book called The second part of the mischiefs of separation, written by an unnamed author with a preface to Mr. Cantianus D. Minimis, in answer to his letter which extorted this publication.
London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst, 1691
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.
§ 4. 3. To be saved without Repentance, is to Reconcile the most Holy God (not to the Sinner but) to the Sin: Light to Darkness; Christ and Belial: Contrary to the Divine perfection; and the Glory of his Holiness.
§ 5. 4. And it is a denying or reproach to the Wisdom and Justice of his Government: What worse can be said of the most unrighteous Kings and Judges, than that they equal not only the just and the unjust, the good and bad, but even the penitent and the obstinately impenitent? And what an odious state is such a governed Kingdom in?
§ 6. 5. It is clean contrary to the design of Mans Redemption, and the Office, Undertaking and Honour of our Redeemer: He came to destroy the works of the Devil, and to save his people from their sins: And how are they saved from them that are not Converted from them?
§ 7. 6. How reasonable a condition is this to make a miserable sinner free from all his guilt or danger of destructive punishment, without any purchase, price or compensation of his own, by the mere Merits, and Love, and Bounty of a Saviour, and a merciful God; and this after long and aggravated sinning, as soon as ever he is but converted by Faith and true Repentance. What would you think of such terms of pardon offered by Man, in his lesser injuries? If one abuse you, rob you, slander you, and you tell him, do but repent and give over, and I will forgive thee, because an Intercessor hath purchased thy forgiveness] would you think him fit for pardon that refused such an offer? Can you for shame say to God, I will not repent and amend, but yet forgive me. It is an absurd error of the Libertines that take Repentance in order to forgiveness to be a Legal burden, and the preaching of it to be no Gospel preaching? What Law is it but the Gospel or Law of Grace that giveth pardon on such gentle terms? The first Law of Innocency gave no forgiveness: The Law of Moses as Political gave