Certain disputations of right to sacraments, and the true nature of visible Christianity defending…

Object. But it is good that at least in words they confess Christ.

Answ. Either you speak of a Good of Duty, or a Good of Means: For the first, it is a Duty, and so good to confess Christ with heart and tongue; but if with the tongue alone, it is a sin, and no duty; Indeed the tongue conjunct with the heart doth part of the duty; but separated, it loseth the Goodness. And as a means, First, to their own salvation, it is not good, but rather condemneth them. Secondly, As to Gods honour, if he make it a means in providence thereto, that's no thanks to them.

Answ. Either you speak of a Good of Duty, or a Good of Means: For the first, it is a Duty, and so good to confess Christ with heart and tongue; but if with the tongue alone, it is a sin, and no duty; Indeed the tongue conjunct with the heart doth part of the duty; but separated, it loseth the Goodness. And as a means, First, to their own salvation, it is not good, but rather condemneth them. Secondly, As to Gods honor, if he make it a means in providence thereto, thats no thanks to them.

And if you did not now speak of the Notoriously Ungodly, but should suppose men to be near to the Kingdom of God, it doth not follow that therefore they must be baptized, because they have some good in them, (for some good must go before the nearest aptitude) nor yet that this good is the effect of Baptism in the unlawfully baptized; or if it were occasioned by Baptism, it followeth not that therefore unmeet persons should in hope of it be baptized. Use Gods means to his appointed Ends, and do not frame a course of means of your own heads for Gods ends. For it is the means of his appointment and blessing that must succeed.