A26864:397
Rich. Baxters apology against the modest exceptions of Mr. T. Blake and the digression…
Rich. Baxters apology against the modest exceptions of Mr. T. Blake and the digression of Mr. G. Kendall whereunto is added animadversions on a late dissertation of Ludiomæus Colvinus, aliaà Ludovicus Molinæs̳, M. Dr. Oxon, and an admonition of Mr. W. Eyre of Salisbury : with Mr. Crandon's Anatomy for satisfaction of Mr. Caryl.
London: printed by A.M. for Thomas Underhill, 1654
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.
At last, after this necessary explication, I come to Mr. Bl's words which I propounded to Reply to. And first, when he saith [A dogmatical faith entitleth to Baptism.] I reply, 1. A mere Dogmatical, Historical faith, is only in the understanding; and that not Practical neither. Now if this be the condition of the outward Covenant, then it may consist with a Renouncing Christ, and open disclaiming him, yea a persecuting the very Christian name: For a man may speculatively and slightly believe the word of God to be true, and yet may openly profess [I love the world, and my pleasure, and honour, so much better then Christ; that I am resolved I will be no Christian, nor be baptized, nor take Christ on the terms that he is offered on.] At least, he that professeth Assent only, and will not ⟨p. 68⟩profess consent also, doth not profess Christianity: For Christianity and true faith lieth in the Wills consent, as well as the understandings Assent. 2. And how can Mr. Bl call this Dogmatical faith, a covenanting? when covenanting is known to be the expression of the Wills consent, and not the profession of an opinion. 3. If a Dogmatical faith be the condition, and make a man a Christian, then he may be a Christian against his Will: which was yet never affirmed.
At last, after this necessary explication, I come to Mr. Bl's words which I propounded to Reply to. And first, when he saith [A dogmatical faith entitleth to Baptism.] I reply, 1. A meer Dogmatical, Historical faith, is only in the understanding; and that not Practical neither. Now if this be the condition of the outward Covenant, then it may consist with a Renouncing Christ, and open disclaiming him, yea a persecuting the very Christian name: For a man may speculatively and sleightly believe the word of God to be true, and yet may openly profess [I love the world, and my pleasure, and honour, so much better then Christ; that I am resolved I will be no Christian, nor be baptized, nor take Christ on the terms that he is offered on.] At least, he that professeth Assent only, and will not ⟨p. 68⟩profess consent also, doth not profess Christianity: For Christianity and true faith lieth in the Wils consent, as well as the understandings Assent. 2. And how can Mr. Bl call this Dogmatical faith, a covenanting? when covenanting is known to be the expression of the Wils consent, and not the profession of an opinion. 3. If a Dogmatical faith be the condition, and make a man a Christian, then he may be a Christian against his Will: which was yet never affirmed.