A26886:281
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.
Joh. 3.5 Except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he shall not enter into the kingdom of God. Though we are agreed against the Papists, that Christ intendeth not here to place the same necessity in Baptism, as there is in or of the New birth by the spirit; yet it is by most acknowledged, that Christ doth here speak of the New Birth, as signified by Baptism; and so hath respect to Baptism as the ordinary confirming sign. And so the text fully showeth us, that Baptism is instituted to be the sign of our present Regeneration; Or else it could not be said, that we must be born [of water and the spirit.] And that Remission of sin is here included, I have said somewhat to prove in a Treat. against infidelity, Part. 4. initio. Calvin saith, most are of Chrysostoms mind, who took it to be meant of Baptism. (And so did the generality of ancient Expositors) And though himself and some more think otherwise; yet as long as they take it to be a Metonymical expression, the sign being put for the thing Signified, it doth as well acquaint us with the use of Baptism, as if it were a proper speech.
Joh. 3.5 Exce•t a man be born of water and of the spirit, he shal not enter into the kingdom of God. Though we are agreed against the Papists, that Christ intendeth not here to place the same necessity in Baptism, as there is in or of the New birth by the spirit; yet it is by most acknowledged, that Christ doth here speak of the New Birth, as signified by Baptism; and so hath respect to Baptism as the ordinary confirming sign. And so the text fully sheweth us, that Baptism is instituted to be the sign of our present Regeneration; Or else it could not be said, that we must be born [of water and the spirit.] And that Remission of sin is here included, I have said somewhat to prove in a Treat. against infidelity, Part. 4. initio. Calvin saith, most are of Chrysostoms mind, who took it to be meant of Baptism. (And so did the generality of antient Expositors) And though himself and some more think otherwise; yet as long as they take it to be a Metonymical expression, the sign being put for the thing Signified, it doth as well acquant us with the use of Baptism, as if it were a proper speech.