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

3. As Mr. Blake is uncertain of every one of his hearers that seeketh Sacraments, whether he have indeed a Dogmatical faith or not, so I doubt he would Baptize but few Children in comparison of what he doth, if none should seek it but those Parents which are undoubtingly certain that they do truly Believe with that Dogmatical faith. 1. Certain I am upon much sad trial that a great number of the Parishioners that have long been our constant hearers, and have presented many Children to Baptism, have not a Dogmatical faith it self as to the essentials of the Christian Religion; For many tell me that they Believe not that the Son or the Holy Ghost is God, or that any one hath suffered for us, or made satisfaction for our sins, and that they trust only in Gods mercy and their praying, and amendment for Pardon. 2. I meet with the most humble, Godly, learned and judicious men of my acquaintance, who manifest more doubtfulness about the Dogmatical part, or Assenting Act of their faith, then any other, or at least, their doubt of the rest is most here grounded, because they doubt of their truth in this. And though they are comforted in this consideration, that even Assent is imperfect in the Saints on earth, and mixed with doubtings, and that they lament their infidelity and doubting, and have so much Belief of the truth of Scripture, as prevaileth with them to resolve to trust their everlasting happiness only on that bottom, though with the forsaking of all earthly things, yet are they far short of a full assurance or certainty of the truth of the Gospel, and are principally in doubt of the sincerity of this act of their faith. Now I would know what Mr. Blake would have these Godly persons do that are not assured of their Dogmatical faith, but are oft ready to say, [I shall one day perish by this Unbelief.] If he would have them receive the Sacraments without assurance of a Dogmatical faith, we have reason to think that they may receive them without assurance of a justifying faith, though we make this the condition of their Title as they do the other. 3. It is a great controversy among the Reformed Divines, whether an unconverted man can have that faith which we call Dogmatical. I know but two or three Divines to be of Mr.

3. As Mr. Blake is uncertain of every one of his hearers that seeketh Sacraments, whether he have indeed a Dogmatical faith or not, so I doubt he would Baptize but few Children in comparison of what he doth, if none should seek it but those Parents which are undoubtingly certain that they do truly Believe with that Dogmatical faith. 1. Certain I am upon much sad tryal that a great number of the Parishioners that have long been our constant hearers, and have presented many Children to Baptism, have not a Dogmatical faith it self as to the essentials of the Christian Religion; For many tell me that they Believe not that the Son or the Holy Ghost is God, or that any one hath suffered for us, or made satisfaction for our sins, and that they trust only in Gods mercy and their praying, and amendment for Pardon. 2. I meet with the most humble, Godly, learned and judicious men of my acquaintance, who manifest more doubtfulness about the Dogmatical part, or Assenting Act of their faith, then any other, or at least, their doubt of the rest is most here grounded, because they doubt of their truth in this. And though they are comforted in this consideration, that even Assent is imperfect in the Saints on earth, and mixt with doubtings, and that they lament their infidelity and doubting, and have so much Belief of the truth of Scripture, as prevaileth with them to resolve to trust their everlasting happiness only on that bottom, though with the forsaking of all earthly things, yet are they far short of a full assurance or certainty of the truth of the Gospel, and are principally in doubt of the sincerity of this act of their faith. Now I would know what Mr. Blake would have these Godly persons do that are not assured of their Dogmatical faith, but are oft ready to say, [I shall one day perish by this Unbelief.] If he would have them receive the Sacraments without assurance of a Dogmatical faith, we have reason to think that they may receive them without assurance of a justifying faith, though we make this the condition of their Title as they do the other. 3. It is a great controversie among the Reformed Divines, whether an unconverted man can have that faith which we call Dogmatical. I know but two or three Divines to be of Mr.