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

2. But what if the Word had not truly converted them? its somewhat to be brought to an outward Profession of true faith, which the rest were that were then Church-members: But the Profession of your faith of another species, is not [the Profession of a Christian Faith,] though you call it so. If you will give me but as good proof of any one baptized person that was brought but to the Profession of this lower Faith, as I will give you of multitudes that were brought to true saving Faith by the Word, and more to the Profession of it, I will say that you have done that which never man did before you. I pray make trial for the proof of some one.

2. But what if the Word had not truly converted them? its somewhat to be brought to an outward Profession of true faith, which the rest were that were then Church-members: But the Profession of your faith of another species, is not [the Profession of a Christian Faith,] though you call it so. If you will give me but as good proof of any one baptized person that was brought but to the Profession of this lower Faith, as I will give you of multitudes that were brought to true saving Faith by the Word, and more to the Profession of it, I will say that you have done that which never man did before you. I pray make tryal for the proof of some one.

Well! But the main strength of the Argument which you had to answer, was concerning the Promise. To which you say, [1. When the adversary shall bring a Promise made to the Sacrament for spiritual strength it will happily be found of equal force to the giving of a new life.] Repl. You next say, Implicit Promises may serve: Show but one such. You say, [Every Promise made to the Word is made to the Sacrament.] Repl. Prove that, and take all. Though we have no Promise particularly of converting this or that man by the Word, yet we have that it shall convert many in general. Show where is a word of Promise that the Sacraments shall convert any one? Sure, if Paul had but had such a Promise of converting men by Baptizing them as he had of converting them by Preaching, Act. 26.17, 18. and elsewhere, he would never have said, I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus, &c. for I am not sent to baptize but to Preach the Gospel. 2. We find where in that Sacrament, men have Communion of the Blood of Christ, and of his Body, and are partakers of the one Bread, and have communion with one another, and are helped by it, in calling to Remembrance Christ death (in hope of that coming:) all which are undoubtedly strengthening,