A26886:623
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.
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.
ARGUMENT. XVII.
Mr. Blake. If God do no more in his actual sealing to Believers than he doth when the Sacrament is rightly applied to Hypocrites, then he actually sealeth to Hypocrites: but God doth no more in his actual sealing to Believers, than he doth when the Sacrament is rightly administered to Hypocrites. The Minor is proved by the enumeration of the several acts. 1. God maketh a promise; 2. He commandeth Ministers to publish it; 3. He hath instituted the Sacraments as mutually engaging Signs or Seals; 4 He commands Ministers to deliver or apply them to those that profess their consent and desi•e to enter or renew the Covenant. Thse two last I confess I have borrowed, and that from Mr. Baxter pag. 223. of his Infant Baptism, and whether they make for him or against him, to prove or disprove their right which he here calls Hypocrites, and distinguishes from Believers, I leave to the censure of the Intelligent Reader.