A26886:176
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.
The second Disputation. Quest. Whether Ministers must or may Baptize the Children of those that Profess not saving faith, upon the Profession of any other faith that comes short of it?
IT may seem strange that after 1625. years use of Christian Baptism, the Ministers of the Gospel should be yet unresolved to whom it doth belong; yet so it is. And I observe that it is a Question that they are now very solicitous about. And I cannot blame them; it being not only about a matter of Divine appointment: but a practical of such concernment to the Church. I shall upon this present occasion, give you my thoughts of it, as briefly as I can; which contain nothing that I know of which is new or singular, but the Explication and Vindication of the commonly received truth.
We here suppose that Baptism is still a needful Ordinance of Christ, and that Infants are to be Baptized, and that Ministers are the persons that should Baptize them: so that it is none of our work at this time either to defend the Ordinance it self against the Seekers, nor the subjects [as to their age] against the Anabaptists: nor the Agents against the Papists or others. Nor are we now to enquire who are those Ministers that are authorized hereto, or what is necessary to their calling and authority. But supposing these matters already determined, our present business ⟨p. 42⟩is to enquire what that faith is that qualifieth persons to be the just subjects of Baptism, or to be such, whose Children may receive it upon the account of their faith or Profession? I shall not needlessly spend time in seeking to make plain those terms that are already as plain as I can make them.
We here suppose that Baptism is still a needfull Ordinance of Christ, and that Infants are to be Baptized, and that Ministers are the persons that should Baptize them: so that it is none of our work at this time either to defend the Ordinance it self against the Seekers, nor the subjects [as to their age] against the Anabaptists: nor the Agents against the Papists or others. Nor are we now to enquire who are those Ministers that are authorized hereto, or what is necessary to their calling and authority. But supposing these matters already determined, our present business