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

Argu. 21. If Circumcision were the Seal of the Righteousness of Faith, even a Justifying Faith already in being; then so is Baptism; but the former is certain, Rom. 4.11, 12. He received the sign of Circumcision, a Seal of the Righteousness of the Faith, which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the Father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised, that Righteousness might be imputed to them also. The last words confirm the consequence also.

Argu. 22. Many texts of Scripture show that it was Justifying Faith that was by God required in the aged in baptism: which I will cite together, and not stand to fetch an argument from each alone. Act. 2.38, 39. was before cited, verse 41. It was they that gladly received the word that were Baptized. Act. 8.37. also, is before spoke to; It must be believing with all the heart. Mar. 16.15, 16. is very plain; first Christ commands them to preach the Gospel: then he enacteth that on this preaching, He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved. It is then a saving Faith. It is plain that Christ purposely putteth it before baptism, as its due place, even as that preaching to which Faith is here related is put before; and in that he gives us here the exact compendium of his new Law. And if it be not this saving Faith that goes before baptism, then Christ doth not so much as mention it. And to imagine that in this sum of his Covenant, he doth both leave wholly unmentioned that Faith which is the prerequisite condition of Baptism, and also put in its place another Faith which is consequential, this is to suppose Christ to clog the most essential parts, and clearest compendiums of his Law, with such insuperable obscurities that it cannot be understood. And say the like by all other Scripture, and you will make it more dark then the Papists accuse it to be.