A26886:620
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 XVI.
Mr. Blake. If the promise be to others besides Believers, then so is the seal; for to whom God promiseth, to them he engageth himself to perform: But the Promise is to others; therefore the seal is to others. This will be evident, if it be once understood that it is only the conditional Covenant, which God sealeth by the Sacraments; for this promise is made to unbelievers, though the good promised is not to be enjoyed by any but those that perform the condition.
ANSWER.
The 16th. Argument Mr. Blake fetcheth from my words to Mr. Tombs, that he may prove me a self-contradicter. But I do not contradict my self every time Mr. Blake understandeth me not. I confess still that the Seal is to others besides Believers; but though the promise be conditional, we must not seal to any but those that profess consent to the Conditions: And therefore not to any but those that profess to be true believers.