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

The second Argument is drawn from Mat. 28.19, 20. Go and disciple me all Nations, baptizing them: From whence it is argued, that the Infants of notorious ungodly Parents being Members of a Discipled Nation, may therefore be baptized as such Members. Answ. 1. If the nearer Interest of their Parents be not supposed necessary, then this Argument makes as much for the Right of the child of any Jew or Heathen, as of a Christian, for they may be Members of that Nation which is Discipled. 2. But they must be Members of it quà tales, as discipled; and that they are not till they are themselves Disciples. The Apostles are first commanded to Disciple Nations, and then to Baptize them on supposition that they be discipled: therefore they must baptize none but those that are discipled. They must endeavour the discipling of each Individual; but if they prevail but with the greater and Ruling part, it may be called a Discipled Nation, and a Kingdom that is become the Kingdom of Christ: but yet as it is but for the sake of the chief part that the whole is so denominated, so it is only that part that is to be baptized; seeing a bare denomination of the whole, gives not right to any part that hath none of the ground of that denomination. ⟨p. 268⟩Nor did the ancient Churches so understand this Text: For when Constantine and Theodosius and other Christian Emperors had the Rule, they did not judge that all their Subjects should be baptized.

The second Argument is drawn from Mat. 28.19, 20. Go and disciple me all Nations, baptizing them: From whence it is argued, that the Infants of notorious ungodly Parents being Members of a Discipled Nation, may therefore be baptized as such Members. Answ. 1. If the nearer Interest of their Parents be not supposed necessary, then this Argument makes as much for the Right of the child of any Jew or Heathen, as of a Christian, for they may be Members of that Nation which is Discipled. 2. But they must be Members of it quà tales, as discipled; and that they are not till they are themselves Disciples. The Apostles are first commanded to Disciple Nations, and then to Baptize them on supposition that they be discipled: therefore they must baptize none but those that are discipled. They must endeavour the discipling of each Individual; but if they prevail but with the greater and Ruling part, it may be called a Discipled Nation, and a Kingdom that is become the Kingdom of Christ: but yet as it is but for the sake of the chief part that the whole is so denominated, so it is only that part that is to be baptized; seeing a bare denomination of the whole, gives not right to any part that hath none of the ground of that denomination.