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

But the fullest declaration of Mr. Blake's mind I find pag. ⟨p. 172⟩147. upon my earnest provocation of him to describe that faith which entitleth to Baptism. The words are these: [Seeing Mr. Baxter calls upon me to declare my self further in this thing, I do believe and profess to hold that he that upon hearing the Gospel preached, and the truth of it published and opened, shall professedly abjure all other opposite ways whatsoever, and choose the Christian way for salvation, promising to follow the Rules of it, is to be baptized, and his seed, &c.] To which I reply: If this be not a profession of saving faith, I despair of ever being saved. 1. No man but a sanctified man can truly desire salvation it self, as it is indeed consisting in the blessed fruition of God in Intuition, Love, Praise; and there is no other salvation. No man but the Regenerate can truly renounce all opposite ways. One opposite way is the way of the flesh and carnal reason, and the way of worldliness, &c. No man can live out of action; nor out of moral action which tendeth to an end, and that end is his own felicity. He therefore that renounceth all other ways, must turn to Christ the only way: or else cut his own throat, or some way murder himself that he may cease action: or else must attain to a perfect desperation. 3. No man but the Regenerate doth heartily choose the Christian way for salvation. For what is that but to choose Christ for salvation? and what is that but (supposing assent) the true description of saving faith? 4. No man but the Regenerate can sincerely follow, or resolve and promise to follow the Rules of that way. For what is that but to follow the rules of Christ and Scripture? And what is that but sincerely to obey? So that he that professeth these four Points, or any one of them, doth profess that which is proper to the regenerate. So that if Mr. Blake do not here give up his Cause, and say as I do, understand English that can for me. If Mr. Blake dare adjudge all those to damnation that go not further than this faith which he here describeth to be professed, (as he must if he suppose this to be the profession of a faith short of saving) he shall never have my vote in approbation of his censure. If those who perform that which is here said to be professed, be not saved, I know not who will. Therefore I doubt not but it is the profession of a saving faith.

But the fullest declaration of Mr. Blake's mind I find pag. ⟨p. 172⟩