A26886:392
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.
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.
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 B•ptized] as signifying the same thing or at least spoken of the same person: which occasioned one of our late Antiquaries so stifly to plead that Regeneration in Scripture signifieth meer Baptism, and that all the Baptized are Regenerate.
I grant that it oft falls out that Baptism being misapplied sealeth not Regeneration at present, and that the sam• person may afterward be Regenerate, and his remembered Baptism may then be of use to him for the confirmation of his faith. But this is not the Institutors commanded use of it, to be so administered at first, if the party profess not saving Faith, though this review of it is a Duty, where it was so abused at first (of which none afterward.)