A26886:469
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 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.
The Minor I prove thus: 1. No man is truly a Christian that is not truly a Disciple of Christ (that's plain, Acts 11.26.) No man is truly a Disciple of Christ that doth not profess a saving Faith and Repentance (save the children of such): therefore no man that doth not so profess is truly a Christian. The Minor I prove thus. No man is truly a Disciple of Christ that doth not profess to forsake all contrary Masters or Teachers, and to take Christ for his chief Teacher, consenting to learn of him the way to salvation. But no man maketh this Profession that professeth not saving Faith and Repentance: therefore no man that professeth not saving Faith and Repentance is truly a Disciple of Christ. The Major is evident, in the nature of the Relation. The Minor is as evident, in that it is an Act of saving Faith and Repentance, to forsake other Teachers, and take Christ for our sole or chief Teacher in order to salvation.
2. No man is truly a Christian that professeth not to take Christ for his Lord and King, forsaking his Enemies: but no man doth this but the Professors of a saving faith: Ergo. &c.
2. No man is truely a Christian that professeth not to take Christ for his Lord and King, forsaking his Enemies: but no man doth this but the Professors of a saving faith: Ergo. &c.