A26886:158
Certain disputations of right to sacraments, and the true nature of visible Christianity defending…
Certain disputations of right to sacraments, and the true nature of visible Christianity defending them against several sorts of opponents, especially against the second assault of that pious, reverend and dear brother Mr. Thomas Blake / by Richard Baxter ...
London: printed by R.W. for Nevil Simmons, 1658
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.
Answ. It must be a breach of the Covenant as owned by themselves at age, that must be sufficient to prove that. 2. And that more then once. For once failing doth not forfeit the Credit of a man's word. 3. And these violations must be proved, and not barely affirmed. 4. Yea it must be proved that he doth at the present, or hath of late lived in violation of former covenants. Otherwise Repentance manifested by Reformation repaireth his Reputation.
Obj. 10. The text cited in the following Disputation proveth that the Apostles took all the members of the Church to be Saints, Adopted, Justified, &c. But we cannot think thus of all that now Profess themselves Christians, without being unreasonable.
Answ. Sometimes the Apostles denominate the whole Church from the better part, as we call that a corn-field which hath many tares. And sometimes, being not heart-searchers, nor knowing the falsehood of Particular men's Professions, they speak of them according to their Profession, which the Law of nature and of Christ commandeth us to believe, though only with such a humane faith, as may be mixed with much jealousy and fear of the contrary, concerning many of them, which the same Apostles also frequently manifested. But yet as they must believe charitably, so must they speak charitably, of the Professors of true Christianity.
Answ. Sometimes the Apostles denominate the whole Church from the better part, as we call that a corn-field which hath many tares. And sometimes, being not heart-searchers, nor knowing the falshood of Particular men's Professions, they speak of them according to their Profession, which the Law of nature and of Christ commandeth us to believe, though only with such a humane faith, as may be mixt with much jealousie and fear of the contrary, concerning many of them, which the same Apostles also frequently manifested. But yet as they must believe charitably, so must they speak charitably, of the Professors of true Christianity.