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

that Discipling which is here commanded, is in order to go before baptism: but it is making men sincere Disciples that is here commanded; therefore. It is presupposed, what ever Discipling it be, that it is not the Event, but the Endeavour that is here made their duty. And if it be only common Discipleship, then the Apostles and other Preachers of the Gospel, are not commanded to endeavour to make men true sound Believers and Disciples, till they had first baptized them, which is untrue. Moreover the Baptismal Faith, must be a Faith in Christs blood; for the application of the water signifieth the application of Christs blood; and therefore their reception of the one, signifieth the other: But Faith in Christs blood, is Justifying Faith, Rom. 3.25, 26. The Righteousness of God which is by the Faith of Jesus Christ, is unto all and upon all them that believe; Rom. 3.22. It is therefore but equivocally called believing in Christ, as being but some part of that belief, which attaineth not this Righteousness. How many times over and over, do Christ and his Apostles promise pardon and salvation to all that believe in Christ, without distinction of believing? whence it seems evident, that it is but improperly and equivocally called Believing in Christ, which is not Justifying and saying. See Joh. 3.15, 16, 18. and 11.25, 26. and 7.38. and 12.46, 44. and 5.24. and 6.35, 40, 47. and 14.12. 1 Joh. 5.1, 5, 10. 1 Pet. 2.6. Rom. 9.33. and 4.5. and 10.11. Act. 13.48. Moreover, how easy is it to bring many Texts that prove that it was true saying Faith it self that Christ and his Apostles preached to men, and endeavoured to bring them to before baptism? Nay find any one of them that ever did otherwise; whereas according to Mr. Blake's Doctrine, they should have persuaded them to a Dogmatical Faith only before baptism (I mean, to be before performed) and a justifying Faith after. But I will add no more of this.