A26998:330
The Protestant religion truly stated and justified by the late Reverend Mr. Richard BaxterThe Protestant religion truely stated and justified by the late Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter
The Protestant religion truly stated and justified by the late Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter ; prepared for the press some time before his death ; whereunto is added, by way of preface, some account of the learned author, by Mr. Daniel Williams and Mr. Matthew Sylvester.The Protestant religion truely stated and justified by the late Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter ; prepared for the press some time before his death ; whereunto is added, by way of preface, some account of the learned author, by Mr. Danel Williams and Mr. Matthew Sylvester.
London: printed for John Salusbury, 1692
Protestant Religion Truly Stated, and Justified, &c. › The Twentieth accused Point.
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.
But it's like he will say that he did not mean, that any man doth keep all the Commands, but that he can do it, tho' he do not. Ans. I again say, 1. He can as to natural strength, if he were but perfectly and constantly willing: But it cannot be that he should be so willing without Grace, and Grace is not perfect in this Life. 2. The more he boasteth of his Power to keep all Gods Laws, the more he condemneth himself that can and will not. 3. And frustra fit potentia quae nunquam & a nemine reducitur in actum: If he confess that no ⟨p. 92⟩man doth it, he must confess such a Moral impossibility as the Prophet meant, that said, Can the Leopard change his Spots, or the Blackmore his Skin? Then may they that are accustomed to do Evil, learn to do well.
But perhaps he meant not that it is possible to keep all the Commands, for all our Lives, but for some short time? I answer, 1. While a man hath the use of his Reason, he doth not reach the commanded degree of Faith, Love, Joy, Heavenliness, one moment of time: But indeed, when a man is asleep, in a Swoon, an Apoplexy, stark mad, &c. he may for that time break no Command, nor keep any.
But perhaps he meant not that it is possible to keep all the Commands, for all our Lives, but for some short time? I answer, 1. While a man hath the use of his Reason, he doth not reach the commanded degree of Faith, Love, Joy, Heavenlyness, one moment of time: But indeed, when a man is asleep, in a Swoun, an Apoplexy, stark mad, &c. he may for that time break no Command, nor keep any.
But perhaps he speaketh but of sincere Obedience, and not of absolute sinless perfection. Ans. If so, he is a deceiver to feign that we deny it: But their Doctrine of Perfection and Supererogation is contrary.