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

R. B. 1. Confusion maketh Controversies endless, and gives advantage to mistakes to prevail with the weak Reader. I shall first tell you what I mean by sealing, before we further dispute what is sealed, and how. Some sober men, no way inclined to Anabaptism, do think that we ought not to call the Sacraments Seals, as being a thing not to be proved from the word; (for all Rom. 4.) But I am not of their mind. Yet I think it is a Metaphor; and to make it the subject of tedious disputations, and lay too great stress upon a Metaphorical notion, is the way not to edify, but to lose our selves. I am not so well skilled in Law as to be very confident, or to pretend to any great exactness in •hese matters; but I conceive that in general, a Seal is an Appropriative sign, when it is set upon things, as Goods, Chattels, &c. it signifies them to be ours: when they are applied to Instruments in writing, they have 1. the common end of a Seal. 2. a special end. 1. The common end is to signify by a special sign our owning of that writing or Instrument to which it is annexed. 2. The special end is according to the nature and use of the Instruments viz. 1. Some Instruments directed to a Community, or indefinitely to any whom it may concern. 2. Some to particular persons, or some few Individuals. Both of them are, 1. either Narratives de re. 2. Or obligatory Constitutions or acknowledgements de Debito. The former are either 1. Doctrinal, and so a man may give it under his hand and seal that he owns such or such a Doctrine, or confession of Faith, or form prescribed by him as Teacher to his Scholars or Hearers, &c. 2. Or Historical; and so a man may give it under his hand and Seal, that such a person is thus or thus qualified; or did this or that act, or suffered losses, pain, &c. 2. The Constitutions de Debito, are 1. De Debito officii, the Constitution of Duty. 1. By equals upon voluntary obligation by contract (which concerneth not our business). 2. By Superiors to their Subjects or Inferiors, which is either a Law to any or to some Community: Or else a Precept to some particulars. And so Sovereigns may give out Laws, and Proclamations under their hand and Seal? and Justices and Inferior Magistrates may seal their Precepts and Warrants, and Orders, &c. 2. Or they are de Debito Beneficii; Constituted 1. by a Legislator or Rector as such, 2.