Baxter - BT763 B397 1658

(185) 'deàyed faith to have fuch an infrumentality (that h; receiving or apprchenfivenefs) above other graces : Only 1 deny and -rnoft confidenely deny that that is the formal, proper or neereft caufe offaith's juftifying : But the formal reafon is, becaufe God bathmade it the condition of the Covenant, promifing juftificaton to fuch receiving, which elfe would have no more juftified then any other as : And therefore fo far as others are madeconditions, and the promife to uson them, theymuff needs have force fuchufe as well as faith : And that they are conditions, youconfefs as much as I. .g. But what if I be miflaken in this point ? what is the danger ? Iffaithfhould deferve the name ofan inftrument, when I think it is but a con- dition ? z. Is it any danger to give lefs to faith then others, while I give no lefsto Chrift ? (For ifyou fbould think I gave lets Chrift then others, I Mould provoke you again and again to Phewwherein.) 2. I deny nothing that Scripture faith`: It faith not that faith is an inftrument : (perhaps you will tell me reronius argues thus : But I mean it is neither in the letter nor plain fenfe ; and then I care not who fpeaks it, iftrue. ) 3. Youmake man an efficient caufe ofjuftifying himfelf. (For the inftrument is an efficient caufe) : And what if I dare not give fo much to ? is there any danger in it ? or fhould `I be fpoke againft for tíß Doctrine of obedience , as if1 gave more to man then you when I give fo much lefs ? 4. Thofe that diffent fromme do make theverynatural aft offaith,which is molt effential to it, and infeparable from it, as it from it fell; viz. Its apprehenfion of Chrifis Righteoufnefs, to be the proper primary reafon ofits juftifying. What ifIdare not do fo, but give that gloryto God, and not to thenature ofour ownaft .? and fay, that Fides qua recipit uflificat, fed non qua recipit primarily, but as it is the condition which thefree jufiifier bath conferred thishonour upon ? is there any danger in this ? and will there be joy inheaven for reducing a man from lath an opinion ? You fay,[tvhat more obvious then that there are many conditions in juftificato, whichare not in aelu jufificationis : Thefalining the bead to the bay, 6-c.] Anfw. I. You laid before that theyare Antecedents & (-Mediaordinata, and then they are B b fare

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