Rich. Baxters apology against the modest exceptions of Mr. T. Blake and the digression…

Next, what he means by [Covenant] I confess I despair of knowing. Sometime he speaks as if he meant it but of their own act of Covenant, whereby they oblige themselves. But ordinarily, it is evident, that he speaks of a mutual Covenant, •nd makes God to be also in Covenant with them. But what Covenant of God is t•is? Pag. 192. He saith [they are in an outward and single Covenant.] But what he means by a single Covenant, I know not. He there also chooseth to express himself in Paraeus words, who distinguisheth inter beneficia foederis (which he denieth them) and Jus foederis (which he alloweth them.) But I confess I know not what Jus foederis is, except one of these two things: 1. A Right to enter Covenant with Christ: and so have Infidels. 2. Or a Right to the Benefits promised in the Covenant: and this he denieth them. If he meaneth (as Par•eus seems) a Right to be esteemed as Covenanters, and used as Covenanters, by the Church (though indeed God is not in Covenant with them) this we easily grant.

But Mr. Bl's common phrase is, that they are [in the outward Covenant] and what that is, I cannot tell. I know what it is to covenant ore tenus, only outwardly, or by a dissembled profession, or else a profession maimed, or not understood; and I have said▪ that hereby they may further oblige themselves (so far as the creature can be said to oblige it self, who is not sui Juris, but wholly Gods, and is under his absolute ⟨p. 67⟩obligation already.) But it is Gods Covenant act that we are enquiring after. In what sense is that called Outward? 1. It cannot be as if God did as the dissembling creature, ore tenus, with the mouth only covenant with them, and not with the heart, as they deal with him: 2. I know therefore no possible sense but this, that it is called [Outward] from the Blessings promised which are outward. Here therefore, 1. I should have thought it but reasonable for Mr. Bl. to have told us what those outward Blessings are that this Covenant promiseth. 2. That he would have proved out of Scripture that God hath such a Covenant, distinct from the Covenant of Grace, which promiseth Justification and Salvation, and having other Conditions on our part. For both these I cannot find what outward blessings he means but Church Ordinances and Privileges. These consist in the Word, Sacraments, Prayer, Discipline. For the Word, God oft bestoweth it on Infidels, and in England there are men that deride the truth of Scripture, and esteem it a fiction, and yet for credit of men, come ordinarily to the Congregation. These have the Word given them, and so have other unregenerate men: but not by Covenant that I know of. Even the godly have no Covenant assuring them that for the future they shall enjoy the Word, further then it is in their hearts (except that promise with a reserve, If God see it Good, &c.) Where hath God said, If thou wilt with thy mouth profess to believe, I will give thee my Word preached? 2. For Baptism, It is part of our profession it self. And though God hath commissioned us to Baptize such professors and their seed, yet that is not a Covenant with them: Nor do I know where God saith, I will give thee Baptism, if thou wilt but say, thou believest, or if thou wilt profess seriously a half faith: More shall be said against this anon. 3. For the Lords Supper the same may be said.