A26886:895
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.
For the Antecedent, I have said enough for it to Mr. Blake. If it were not propter fidem significandam, that profession were required, but propter se as the condition of the Covenant: then 1. God would not have said (He that believeth and is baptized, &c. And, if thou believe with all thy heart thou mayst be baptized: and, Repent and be baptized, &c.) but rather (if thou wilt but say thou believest thou mayst be baptized, &c.) 2. And then all that profess should be justified: For all that be in the Mutual Covenant with God actually, are justified. 3. And then such profession would be of flat necessity to Salvation, as well as faith, which it is not, but on supposition of Opportunity, a Call, &c. I think I may take it for granted, that Profession is required sub ratione signi, as a sign of the thing professed: nor can any man, I think, give a better reason of its necessity, ⟨p. 271⟩though another after this may be, because God will have the outward man to serve him, by thus signifying by its operations what are the Elicit Acts and dispositions of the Will.
For the Antecedent, I have said enough for it to Mr. Blake. If it were not propter fidem significandam, that profession were required, but propter se as the condition of the Covenant: then 1. God would not have said (He that believeth and is baptized, &c. And, if thou believe with all thy heart thou mayst be baptized: and, Repent and be baptized, &c.) but rather (if thou wilt but say thou believest thou mayst be baptized, &c.) 2. And then all that profess should be justified: For all that be in the Mutual Covenant with God actually, are justified. 3. And then such profession would be of flat necessity to Salvation, as well as faith, which it is not, but on supposition of Opportunity, a Call, &c. I think I may take it for granted, that Profession is required sub ratione signi, as a sign of the thing professed: nor can any man, I think, give a better reason of its necessity, ⟨p. 271⟩though another after this may be, because God will have the outward man to serve him, by thus signifying by its operations what are the Elicite Acts and dispositions of the Will.