Certain disputations of right to sacraments, and the true nature of visible Christianity defending…

To this 1. Mr. Blake answers ad hominē, which is not worth repeating (that examples will not satisfy his Adversary). 2. That we have as many examples of mens conversion by the sacrament, at we have of their receiving strength and nourishment.] Repl. A wonderful confidence! If Mr. Blake will bring as good proof of any converted by it, as we can, that the eleven Apostles, that the Church at Jerusalem, Acts 2. and 4. and the rest of the Churches were strengthened by it, he will make good that Assertion. 3. What he saith of our (not having precedents by name) is nothing to the purpose. If he can prove it of any named or unnamed, specially of Societies, it will suffice. 4. He tells us that [The examples of Conversion by the word perhaps well examined would prove short of such Conversion as is here intended. The Conversion in Gospel-Narratives is to a Christian profession.] Repl. 1. This is too unkind dealing for any Preacher of the Gospel to use with that Word which converted him, and hath brought in so many thousands to Christ, and which he himself preacheth for the conversion of others. I should offend the patience of the Reader to stand to confute this, by proving that the Word hath been a means of true saving Conversion, yea the ordinary means. I refer Mr. Blake to what I have said before of the state of the Churches that Paul wrote to: Was there not one sort of Ground that received the seed in depth of earth and brought forth fruit? Was not Paul sent by preaching to open mens eyes and turn them from the power of Satan to God? Act. 26 v. 18. Doth not Paul in all his Epistles speak of the Saints, as converted savingly by the word of the Gospel? What heaps of clear Testimonies might we bring out of his Epistles? How contrary ⟨p. 131⟩is this new Doctrine to the Word, and all the ancient Churches, and all approved Protestants Judgements? I would we had such Evidence of true Conversion now among our Professors as the multitude of Converts gave, Act. 2. and 4. and as the Jailer gave, Act. 1.6. and the Eunuch, Act. 8. and as Lydia, and many other.