A26886:864
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.
The Minor is unquestionable; The Major is granted by most of our Divines, who make the contrary Doctrine Pelagianism, that God should be obliged to man in the state of Nature, in such a Covenant: If God be obliged to give them Baptism, then if he should not give it them, he breaks Promise with them; But the Consequence is unsound; Ergo, &c. Nor doth he give them power to claim it from the Church-Officers; for they can show no Title.
The Minor is unquestionable; The Major is granted by most of our Divines, who make the contrary Doctrine Pelagianism, that God should be obliged to man in the state of Nature, in such a Covenant: If God be obliged to give them Baptism, then if he should not give it them, he breaks Promise with them; But the Consequence is unsound; Ergo, &c. Nor doth he give them power to claim it from the Church-Officers; for they can shew no Title.
Argum. 4. If God have given a Covenant-Right to a notorious ungodly man to be baptized, then either to baptism only, or other blessings with it; but neither of these, Ergo, &c. The first will not be affirmed: What then be the other blessings? Either they are special and spiritual, but that's not defended; or outward and common, which is like is meant; for they call it an outward Covenant. Bu• as God hath given outward things but conditionally to Believers; so there is no such Covenant of outward mercies alone that can be showed in the word which is now in force to us.
Argum. 4. If God have given a Covenant-Right to a notorious ungodly man to be baptized, then either to baptism only, or other blessings with it; but neither of these, Ergo, &c. The first will not be affirmed: What then be the other blessings? Either they are special and spiritual, but that's not defended; or outward and common, which is like is meant; for they call it an outward Covenant. Bu• as God hath given outward things but conditionally to Believers; so there is no such Covenant of outward mercies alone that can be shewed in the word which is now in force to us.