A26886:467
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.
My 12. Argument is from Mat 22.12. [Friend, how camest thou in hither not having on a wedding garment, and he was speechless.] To [come in hither] is [To come into the Church of Christ.] By the wedding garment is undoubtedly meant, sincerity of true faith and repentance; so that I may hence argue; If God will accuse and condemn men for coming into his Church or the communion of Saints, without sincere faith and repentance, then it is not the appointed use of Baptism to initiate those that profess not sincere faith and repentance. But the former is plain in the text; Ergo, &c.
The 13th. Argument is this: We must Baptize none at age that profess not themselves Christians; (nor any Infants but on such a Profession of the Parents or Pro-parents) but they that profess only a species of faith short of Justifying faith, profess not themselves Christians. Ergo. &c.
The Major is certain; because it is the use of Baptism to be our solemn Listing sign into Christs Army; our Initiating sign, and the solemnization of our Marriage to Christ, and Professing sign that we are Christians, and we do in it dedicate and deliver up our selves to him in this relation as his own. So that in Baptism we do not only promise to be Christians, but profess that we are so already in heart, and now would be solemnly admitted among the number of Christians.