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

But p. 122. Did ever a man speak of an absolute tie in a conditional covenant, whether the conditions are performed or no] It seems then that it is but a conditional tie that he speaks of all this while. But whats that to the conveying of Right? The efficacy is suspended while the condition is unperformed: or else it were not a Condition. If God had conditionally by his Covenant given Title to Sacraments, that Covenant could give no Title, till the condition were performed. So that it is not a conditional Promise or covenant, till performance of the condition, that can give right. And yet Mr. Blake oft saith, that God giveth a Covenant-Right to such as (he seems to maintain himself) perform not the condition. 2. But for all this, I still say our very faith or acceptance of Christ in the Covenant of God is our performing the condition. And therefore (which its sad should be an egregious affected piece of nonsense in the eyes of any Divines) our very heart covenanting, is our performance of the condition of the covenant of God, that is, God offereth to be our God, and Christ our Saviour, if we will accept him by consent. Our hearts consent and say, Lord I am willing. And this is our heart covenanting; that ties the marriage knot: and this was the condition of Gods Promise, or part in the Covenant. And therefore every true sincere Covenanter or Believer, as he performeth by consenting the condition of his first right and Possession, so he hath immediately the said Right and Possession: A marriage Covenant is such a performance also, as giveth present Title and Right. We are members of Christ, Pardoned, Adopted, as soon as ever we consent to the terms of the Covenant, that is, do believe. Its a poor put off for Mr. Blake to tell me, that [we are oftener said to be espoused to Christ, then married to him.] For what although the solemnization of the Nuptials with all the Church in one body be reserved to the last day, doth it follow that each particular soul is not married to Christ before? Doth not Scripture expressly affirm it? Do any Divines deny to question it? What matter is it then which is oftener mentioned, wh•le both are mentioned, and both true?

But p. 122. Did ever a man speak of an absolute tie in a conditional covenant, whether the conditions are performed or no] It seems then that it is but a conditional tie that he speaks of all this while. But whats that to the conveying of Right? The efficacy is suspended while the condition is unperformed: or else it were not a Condition. If God had conditionally by his Covenant given Title to Sacraments, that Covenant could give no Title, till the condition were performed. So that it is not a conditional Promise or covenant, till performance of the condition, that can give right. And yet Mr. Blake oft saith, that God giveth a Covenant-Right to such as (he seems to maintain himself) perform not the condition. 2. But for all this, I still say our very faith or acceptance of Christ in the Covenant of God is our performing the condition. And therefore (which its sad should be an egregious affected piece of nonsence in the eyes of any Divines) our very heart covenanting, is our performance of the condition of the covenant of God, that is, God offereth to be our God, and Christ our Saviour, if we will accept him by consent. Our hearts consent and say, Lord I am willing. And this is our heart covenanting; that ties the marriage knot: and this was the condition of Gods Promise, or part in the Covenant. And therefore every true sincere Covenanter or Believer, as he performeth by consenting the condition of his first right and Possession, so he hath immediately the said Right and Possession: A marriage Covenant is such a performance also, as giveth present Title and Right. We are members of Christ, Pardoned, Adopted, as soon as ever we consent to the terms of the Covenant, that is, do believe. Its a poor put off for Mr. Blake to tell me, that [we are ofter said to be espoused to Christ, then married to him.] For what although the solemnization of the Nuptials with all the Church in one body be reserved to the last day, doth it follow that each particular soul is not married to Christ before? Doth not Scripture expresly affirm it? Do any Divines deny to question it? What matter is it then which is oftner mentioned, whle both are mentioned, and both true?