A26864:614
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.
18. This Conditional Promise is sealed Absolutely and actually; for were it sealed only Conditionally, then it were not Actually sealed at all, till the Condition is fulfilled: but the sense would run thus, This Action shall be my Seal, when you believe, or perform some other Condition. But I conceive God sealeth Actually, and therefore Absolutely, before men truly or really believe, when a Minister on his Command and by his Commission doth it.
19. Yet though God Seal the Conditional Promise Absolutely to such as profess to receive it; that is, though he hereby attest that he owns that Promise as his Act or Deed; yet doth he not either Exhibit or Convey Right to Christ and his Benefits, nor yet oblige himself for the future, Absolutely, but Conditionally only. For in this Conveyance and Obligation the Grant or Covenant is the principal Instrument, and the sign the less principal; and both to the same use: and therefore the latter cannot Absolutely Convey, or Oblige the Promiser, unless the first do it absolutely too.
19. Yet though God Seal the Conditional Promise Absolutely to such as profess to receive it; that is, though he hereby attest that he owns that Promise as his Act or Deed; yet doth he not either Exhibite or Convey Right to Christ and his Benefits, nor yet oblige himself for the future, Absolutely, but Conditionally only. For in this Conveyance and Obligation the Grant or Covenant is the principal Instrument, and the sign the less principal; and both to the same use: and therefore the latter cannot Absolutely Convey, or Oblige the Promiser, unless the first do it absolutely too.
20. God may therefore seal his Promise, and thereupon offer Christ and Life to men that pretended a willingness to Receive it, and yet not actually convey Right to Christ and Life, nor Actually oblige himself to pardon or save the sinner, because the party may refuse the offer, either refusing Sacrament and all, or only Refusing in heart the benefit offered, at lest as such and on the terms that its offered on, and on which only it may be had. And so when the sealing use is past, the Sacrament may lose its Conveying and obliging force (so far as we may say God obligeth himself) for want of true Reception: and thus it doth with all unsound Believers.