A26886:572
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.
ARGUMENT IV.
Mr. Blake. Those whom the Spirit of God ordinarily calls by the name of Circumcision, they had a right in Gods sight to Circumcision; and those of like condition have like right to baptism; This I think is clear; the Spirit of God doth not mis-name, doth not nick-name, nor ordinarily at least give equivocal names. But men short of Justifying faith are called by the Spirit of God by the name of Circumcision, as needs no proof. Christ was a Minister of the Circumcision, Rom 15.8. And he was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Those then of a faith short of that which is Justifying, have right in the sight of God to Baptism.
ANSWER.
1. I have no need to deny the Major; but it is not sound: for they are called the Circumcision, i. e. the Circumcised; because they were actually Circumcised, and not because that all that were so had right to it. 2. To the Minor, I grant it; but with this note, that it is not because of their short faith that they were to be circumcised, but upon the Parents or their own profession and sincere consent to the Covenant. The Conclusion again containeth not your Thesis. There's nothing in it about [giving title] or any thing of necessary connection.