A26886:160
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. 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.
Besides those Objections, many particular Texts are urged by some to prove that it is only the Regenerate and such as shall be saved, that are to be added to the Church; which I shall not now stand to answer particularly; but only give this general answer to them all: If they mean only such as are Really sanctified and sincere, or elect, then we must admit none, because we know not one man to be such; but if they mean only those that seem to be such I have proved already, that their own Profession of what is in their hearts, out of our sight, is to be taken for such a seeming, and doth qualify them to be visible ⟨p. 36⟩members of the Church For as the Matter of the Church as Invisible, is true Believers and Saints; so the Matter of the Church as visible, is the Professors of that faith and holiness and their seed.