A27029:31
The Scripture Gospel defended, and Christ, grace, and free justification vindicated against the libertines…
The Scripture Gospel defended, and Christ, grace, and free justification vindicated against the libertines ... in two books : the first, a breviate of fifty controversies about justification ... : the second upon the sudden reviving of antinomianism ... and the re-printing of Dr. Crisp's sermons with additions ... / by Richard Baxter ...
London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst, 1690
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.
The Prologue.
§. 1. THE Doctrine of the Justification of sinful man, by Christ as our Redeemer, Saviour and Judge, is of so great moment, that it should be Skilfully taught to all that are Catechised. And yet by the Unskilfulness of Teachers, is become a foot-ball of Strife and Contention, and of Wrathful Censures, and Reproach, among those who are most zealous for the safe and honourable preservation of it, and really differ more in the Terms and Methods which they think must preserve it, than in the inward practical sense of the matter itself.
§. 2. Two things constitute this itch or leprosy rather of strife, which experience maketh us fear is uncurable: And these two are one. Ignorance: Ignorance of the case: And Ignorance of our Ignorance. But what Ignorance is it? I am grieved to know and speak it. It is Ignorance of words or the art of speaking; of Grammar and Logic. O what a plague did Nimrod bring on the World, and what a Babel hath it been by the confusion of language to this day! How vain hath peaceable Dr. Wilkins attempt of an Universal Character proved? My good old highly valued Friend, Mr. John Eliots long ago wrote to me, that to make the Hebrew the Universal Language, and to set up a Godly Magistracy in the world were the two things yet to be done for Universal Concord and Reformation: Alas, good man? Abi in cellam▪ ⟨image 10⟩