William Bates (1625–1699) on Richard Baxter’s (1615–1691) Middle Way

In some points of modern Controversie he judiciously chose the middle way, and advised young Divines to follow it. His reverence of the Divine Purity, made him very shy and jealous of any Doctrine that seem’d to reflect a blemish and stain upon it. He was a clear asserter of the soveraign Freeness, and infallible Efficacy of Divine Grace in the Conversion of Souls. In a Sermon reciting the Words of the Covenant of Grace, I will put my fear into their hearts, and they shall not depart from me; he observed the Tenor of it was, I will, and you shall. Divine Grace makes the rebellious Will obedient, but does not make the Will to be no Will. By the Illumination of the Mind, the Will is inclin’d to Obedience, according to the Words of our Saviour, All that have heard and learn'd of the Father come to me. He preach'd that the Death of Christ was certainly effectual for all the Elect to make them partakers of Grace and Glory, and that it was so far beneficial to all Men, that they are not left in the same desperate State with the fallen Angels, but are made capable of Salvation by the Grace of the Gospel: not capable as Efficients to convert themselves, but as Subjects to receive saving Grace. He did so far honour the sincerity of God, as entirely to believe his Will declared in his Word: he would not interpret the Promises of the Gospel in a less gracious sense than God intended them: Therefore if Men finally perish, 'tis not for want of Mercy in God, nor Merits in Christ, but for their willful refusing Salvation.

William Bates, “A Sermon Preached at the Funeral of the Reverend and Excellent Divine Mr. Richard Baxter,” in The Works of the Late Reverend and Learned William Bates (London: Printed for B. Aylmer, at the Three Pigeons, against the Royal Exchange in Cornhill: And J. Robinson, at the Golden Lion in St. Paul’s Church-Yard, 1700), 818.

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