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

§. 51.

Mr. Bl. 5. That of Philip to the Eunuch, seems to carry most colour; The Eunuch must believe with all his heart, before he must be baptized; and I have known it trouble some, that are fully convinced, that a Dogmatical faith gives title to baptism, satisfying themselves with this answer, that howsoever Philip called for such a faith which leads to salvation, yet did not express himself so far, that no faith short of this gives title to baptism.

Mr. Bl. 5. THat of Philip to the Eunuch, seems to carry most colour; The Eunuch must believe with all his heart, before he must be baptized; and I have known it trouble some, that are fully convinced, that a Dogmatical faith gives title to baptism, satisfying themselves with this answer, that howsoever Philip called for such a faith which leads to salvation, yet did not express himself so far, that no faith short of this gives title to baptism.

It may be answered, that a Dogmatical faith is true faith, suo genere, as well as that which Justifieth; therefore I know not why men should give it the term of false Faith, seeing Scripture calls it Faith, and such as those Believers, and the heart in such a Faith (as to an entire assent) is required. If we look into the Eunuchs answer, in which Philip did rest satisfied, and proceeded upon it to baptism, it will take away all scruple: his answer is, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God: There is no more in that then a common Faith: this is believed by men not justified: yet this Faith entitles to baptism, and upon this confession of Faith the Eunuch is baptized.