A26886:203
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.
4. Before I can positively answer the question in hand, I must premise these few necessary Distinctions. 1. We must distinguish between a Profession of faith according to the Ministers sense of the words; and a Profession according to the speakers sense. 2. Between the Children of those that profess not saving faith, as theirs, and claiming Baptism on the account of some lower Profession; and the same Children as owned by some other that do profess saving faith. 3. Between the unlawfulness of Baptizing, and the Nullity of the Baptism. Those distinctions that are necessary for the answering of the objections, will come in their places. Upon these few I answer the question negatively, explained in the following Propositions.
1. It is not a Profession of saving Faith in the real intention of the Professor that we affirm necessary; but in the Apprehension of the Minister judging of the words according to their common use and acception: For we know not the heart of the Professor, and therefore know not certainly whether he intend those words as a Profession or not. I do not mean, whether he be sincere in his Profession, and intend the thing Professed▪ for that's no part of the Profession it self: but I mean whether he use the words which he speaks in the sense which they seem to us to import, and which they are used in by those that best understand their common signification. For example: a Papist presenteth a Child to be Baptized, Professing to believe in God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost: I know that these words according to the Scripture use of them▪ signify a true saving faith; but I am not sure whether the speaker do understand any more by them then a lower faith of mere Assent. If I knew he meant no more, I would require him to express a saving faith, before I would Baptize his Child, on his account: but if I know it not, nor have just reason to question it, I must take the words as they are commonly used, and seem to be intended by him and so if it appear to me to be a Profession of saving faith, though ⟨p. 53⟩