A27016:427
A saint or a brute the certain necessity and excellency of holiness, &c. ...…
A saint or a brute the certain necessity and excellency of holiness, &c. ... / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by R.W. for Francis Tyton, 1662
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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 who then shall be Judge? Let God be Judge, let Christ be Judge; Who can, who dare refuse this Judge? Refuse him not: for none but he is fit and competent: Refuse him not; for he will be Judge whether you will or no; and therefore your refusal will be vain. 1. He is most wise, and knoweth all things: and therefore cannot be deceived. 2. He is Infinitely Good, and therefore cannot do any wrong: He is impartial and respecteth not the persons of the greatest; He is most just, and therefore cannot pass an unjust sentence. 3. He only is the Judge that hath full authority to make a final decision of the case. 4. And in a word, he is so absolutely perfect, that he is liable to no just exceptions, nor can men or Devils have any thing to say against his judgement. Are you agreed then that God shall be your Judge? Will you take that for the better part, which he calls better? If so, the controversy is at an end. The living God hath given us his judgement long ago. If you ask me, Where; Isle tell you anon, when I have examined some of the witnesses of the case.
But who then shall be Judge? Let God be Judge, let Christ be Judge; Who can, who dare refuse this Judge? Refuse him not: for none but he is fit and competent: Refuse him not; for he will be Judge whether you will or no; and therefore your refusal will be vain. 1. He is most wise, and knoweth all things: and therefore cannot be deceived. 2. He is Infinitely Good, and therefore cannot do any wrong: He is impartial and respecteth not the persons of the greatest; He is most just, and therefore cannot pass an unjust sentence. 3. He only is the Judge that hath full authority to make a final decision of the case. 4. And in a word, he is so absolutely perfect, that he is lyable to no just exceptions, nor can men or Devils have any thing to say against his judgement. Are you agreed then that God shall be your Judge? Will you take that for the better part, which he calls better? If so, the controversie is at an end. The living God hath given us his judgement long ago. If you ask me, Where; Ile tell you anon, when I have examined some of the witnesses of the case.
And though I am resolved to own no proper final Judge but God, yet under him there are many witnesses that are worth the hearing. Indeed I am content to refer the cause to any one that doth but know what he saith, and is not unfaithful, (reserving to God the final judgement.)