A26886:169
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.
Ob. But the greater part do not so much as Profess to be Saints.
Answ. They that profess to believe in God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and to renounce the world, the Flesh and the Devil, do profess to be Saints: so do they that profess to repent of all sin, and to be willing to live according to the word of God: But I meet but with very few that will not profess all this.
Object. They will say these words indeed, but in the mean time they will scorn at godliness, or disclaim it by their lives.
Answ. Those that do so, must be dealt with in Christs way as Church-members, till either they hear the Church, or be rejected for their impenitency; but you must not dare upon this account to unchurch whole Parishes, nor ordinarily any one Person that hath not been dealt with in the order that Christ hath appointed.