A26864:475
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.
§. 52.
Having Replied to your Answer, I shall be bold to trouble you with some more Arguments to this point. Mr. Blake affirmeth, that Justifying Faith is the great Condition to which Baptism engageth,1 and therefore not prerequisite to Baptism; and that an acknowledgement of the Necessity of such Faith with engagement to it, is sufficient for a title to the Seal: and so it is a Dogmatical Faith which entitles to Baptism, in which Baptism we must engage to believe with a lively and working Faith hereafter: Against this Doctrine I argue. 1. From Authority (beginning with the lowest Argument). The Reverend Assembly in their Advice for Church Government, Printed after the Directory, pag. 58. of the Church say thus, Particular Churches in the Primitive times were made up of Visible Saints. viz. of such as being of Age, professed faith ⟨p. 95⟩in Christ, and obedience unto Christ, according to the Rule of Faith and Life, taught by Christ and his Apostles; and of their children: and they cite Act. 2.•8, 41, last: compared with Act. 5.14. 1 Cor. 1.2. compared with 2 Cor. 9.13. Now if the Profession of this Saint-ship in Faith and obedience according to the Rule, were necessary, then the profession of Justifying Faith was necessary: For this is justifying Faith without doubt. And if so, then it is not a Faith short of this which is the condition of Church member-ship; for then the profession of that other imperfect Faith might suffice; of which more anon. See also the Assemblies Confession. cap. 28. §. 1.6. and the two Catechisms of Baptism, where 1. observe the ends of Baptism, that it Sealeth Remission, Regeneration, Adoption, &c. 2. the subject, that none are to be Baptized at age till they profess their Faith in Christ and Obedience to him. Which if they do sincerely no doubt that Faith is no less then justifying. See also what that truly Judicious, Learned, Reverend Divine, Mr. Gataker hath Replied to Dr. Ward, (viz. against those words which I confuted, not knowing that it was Mr. Gataker that the Doctor dealt with) in Mr. Gatakers Desceptatio de Baptismatis Infantilis vi & efficacy, pag. 71. where he also cites Luther, Calvin, Bucer, Whitaker, &c. and therefore I will cite no more, (Mr. Marshal in his late Sermon for Unity, I mentioned before.) A hundred might easily and truly be cited to this purpose.