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

but I engage my self to do it, or I will do it as soon as the word is out of my mouth] or [I am not yet willing to have Christ as he is offered: but I will be willing the next instant.] If any say so to me, I will hold my hand from baptizing one minute, and ask him whether now he be willing? For certainly the man must break his promise between the making and the sealing of it, if he be not a sound Believer already. For there must go more then one instant between his promise and the Act of baptizing (unless we had greater velocity of action): If therefore Mr. Blake's professor shall say, I promise to believe savingly the next instant [then if he do not, the promise is broke before it is sealed: If he do; ⟨p. 168⟩I know no reason but why I may require him to profess that which he hath.

And is it not a kind of impossibility for any unregenerate man, rationally and soberly to promise to be regenerate the next minute or instant? Or for any that is destitute of saving faith, to promise to believe savingly the next instant: If he hath grace of such command and can believe the next moment, why not now? And doth not that man show his heart unsound, that can believe the next moment, and will not do it at the present? If it be so in his power, let him not stand promising, but do it.

And is it not a kind of impossibility for any unregenerate man, rationally and soberly to promise to be regenerate the next minute or instant? Or for any that is destitute of saving faith, to promise to believe savingly the next instant: If he hath grace of such command and can believe the next moment, why not now? And doth not that man shew his heart unfound, that can believe the next moment, and will not do it at the present? If it be so in his power, let him not stand promising, but do it.