A26886:391
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.
Having gone thus far about Titles, let me add another, because I find Mr. Blake so oft apply it to the — justified (I shall crave leave to use that term as proper to them, or else I confess I shall be at some loss for a name for them because he hath taken them all out of my hand that I can think off.) And this is the Title [Regenerate] Christ hath instituted no Baptism, but what is to be a sign of present Regeneration (at least to men at age.) But to men that Profess not a justifying faith it cannot ⟨p. 118⟩be administered as a sign of present Regeneration: therefore he hath Instituted no Baptism to be administered to such.
Having gone thus far about Titles, let me add another, because I find Mr. Blake so oft apply it to the — justified (I shall crave leave to use that term as proper to them, or else I confess I shall be at some loss for a name for them because he hath taken them all out of my hand that I can think off.) And this is the Title [Regenerate] Christ hath instituted no Baptism, but what is to be a sign of present Regeneration (at least to men at age.) But to men that Profess not a justifying faith it cannot ⟨p. 118⟩be adminstired as a sign of present Regeneration: therefore he hath Instituted no Baptism to be administred to such.
The Major I have proved already in the first Argument. And its plain in Joh. 3.5. Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.] and so in Tit. •.5. Where it is called the Laver of Regeneration.] In both which though I am of their mind that think that the sign is put for the thing signified; yet it may thence plainly appear what is the thing signified; even Regeneration, or the new birth! yea so commonly was this acknowledged by all the Church of Christ that there's nothing more common in the writings of the Fathers, than to take the terms Regenerate, Illuminate &c. and Baptized] as signifying the same thing or at least spoken of the same person: which occasioned one of our late Antiquaries so stiffly to plead that Regeneration in Scripture signifieth mere Baptism, and that all the Baptized are Regenerate.