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

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 ⟨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 needlesly spend time in seeking to make plain those terms that are already as plain as I can make them.

1. What Professing is, I have showed in another Determination of the like nature, and I think all understand that it is as much as palam vel publicè fateor.