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

Yet upon this abuse you ground a triumph, adding [So that if my doctrine herein be loose, the Reader will hardly find his to be fast: and it hears not well to play fast and loose.] It was loose ground that these words were built on.

Pag. 184. Another Confutation of my self is thus expressed, [I desire Mr. Baxter to tell us how he hath mended the matter, and provided for the honour and lustre of the Christian Name, or made up at all, the gap of which he speaks. He says the Church is bound to baptize as largely, as I say men have Right to Baptism.] Repl. Dear Brother, it is not well that your pages should contain so many such untruths. I would we had never meddled with controversy, if it cannot be managed without such guilt. You say that a Dogmatical faith entitles to Baptism. I say we ought not to Baptize men without the Profession of a saving faith. Is this the same with yours, or as large? Is it all one to baptize them that will profess that they are willing to have Christ as he is offered in the Gospel, and them that will profess no such willingness at all? Why do you expect that your Readers should believe your so frequent and evident mis-reports? Your next words also are untrue, that I [refuse none that you receive] if you did practise according to your doctrine; and that where [you say they have Right, I say we are bound to baptize them without Right.] A double untruth. First, It is not the same persons that we speak of. Secondly, I distinguished of Right, and told you, that if you will call that Right to another, which results from the command to me to baptize him if he demand it, such Right he hath. You next add [How will this make Christianity look with any better face? how much will Worcester-shire Congregations where this is received exceed other Congregations where unanimously it is denied?] Repl. Divers of your flings at the Worcester-shire Congregations might have been spared, without the least dishonour to your prudence, justice, charity, or piety. If you have a mind to be the Accuser of any Churches of Christ, you should descend ⟨p. 242⟩to particulars, and deal with such people and in such cases that you know, and not print untruths of such Congregations, which the Country knoweth to be such, as you have done, pag. 142, 143. upon the credit of your false reporters. If I have deserved such dealing from you the Christian Assemblies of Worcestershire have not. Restrain your indignation to me, and abuse not your Brethren that meddle not with you.