A26886:378
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.
But Mr. Blake objecteth Rom 9.4. To them pertained the Adoption] and Gomarus his Comment. Answ. 1. Gomarus saith not, that any were in either sense sons of God, without a Profession of saving Faith. 2. It was not after their unchurching for unbelief, that the Adoption is said to pertain to them, but before: and then let Mr. Blake prove if he can, that any Israelites were adopted without profession of that Faith which was then saving. I doubt not to prove the contrary anon. And 3. If he could prove that such there were among the Israelites, yet he will never prove that they are called Sons though the Nation were, because the denomination was principally from the true Sons, and next from the professed ones, but never from or to them that professed only a common faith. None are visibly Sons, that be not visibly true Believers.
The next Title mentioned in the Argument is [Abraham's Seed] All that are baptized, are called Abraham's Seed. Gal. 3.17, 18, 19. therefore they all profess a justifying Faith. The Consequence is proved, in that none are Abraham's Seed in Scripture Gospel sense, but those cordially that are true Believers, and those appearingly that profess true Faith. This is proved Rom. 9.4, 6, 7, 8. Rom. 4.11. [that he might be the Father of all them that believe, that Righteousness might be imputed to them also.] This therefore is a justifying faith, and the privilege of the Justified that is here mentioned. Its added ver. 12, 13. [And the Father of Circumcision to them who are not of the Circumcision, but also walk in the steps of the faith of our Father Abraham yet uncircumcised: for the promise that he should be heir of the world was not to Abraham or his seed by the law, but by the righteousness of faith. —Therefore it is of faith that it might be by grace, to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed — even to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, the Father of us all.]
The next Title mentioned in the Argument is [Abraham's Seed] All that are baptized, are called Abrahams Seed.