A26892:6226
A Christian Directory
A Christian directory, or, A sum of practical theology and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortify every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.A Christian directory, or, A summ of practical theologie and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortifie every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by Robert White for Nevill Simmons, 1673
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
II. But as to the second question, I answer: 1. It will help us to understand the case the better if we prepare the way by opening the case of the Adult, because in Scripture times, they were the most famous subjects of Baptism. And it is certain of such, 1. That every one outwardly Baptized is not in a state of salvation. That no hypocrite that is not a true penitent believer is in such a state. 2. That every true penitent believer is before God in a state of salvation, as soon as he is such; And before the Church, as soon as he is baptized. 3. That we are not to use the word Baptism as a Physical term only, but as a moral Theological term. Because words (as in Law, physic, &c.) are to be understood according to the art or science in which they are treated of. And Baptism taken Theologically doth as Essentially include the Wills consent or Heart-Covenanting with God, as Matrimony includeth marriage consent, and as a man containeth the soul as well as the body. And thus it is certain that all truly Baptized persons are in a state of salvation; that is, All that sincerely consent to the Baptismal Covenant when they profess consent by Baptism, (but not hypocrites.) 4. And in this sense all the Ancient Pastors of the Churches, did concur that Baptism did wash away all sin, and put the baptized into a present right to life eternal; as he that examineth their Writings will perceive: not the outward washing and words alone, but when the inward and outward parts concur, or when by true faith and repentance, the Receiver hath right to the Covenant of God. 5. In this sense it is no unfit language to imitate the Fathers, and to say that the truly baptized are in a state of Justification, adoption and salvation, unless when mens misunderstanding maketh it unsa•e. 6. The sober Papists themselves say the same thing, and when they have said that even ex opere operato Baptism saveth, they add that it is only the meet Receiver; that is, the penitent believer, and no other of the adult. So that hitherto there is no difference.
II. But as to the second question, I answer: 1. It will help us to understand the case the better if we prepare the way by opening the case of the Adult, because in Scripture times, they were the most famous subjects of Baptism. And it is certain of such, 1. That every one outwardly Baptized is not in a state of salvation. That no hypocrite that is not a true penitent believer is in such a state. 2. That every true penitent believer is before God in a state of salvation, as soon as he is such; And before the Church, as soon as he is baptized. 3. That we are not to use the word Baptism as a Physical term only, but as a moral Theological term. Because words (as in Law, physick, &c.) are to be understood according to the art or science in which they are treated of. And Baptism taken Theologically doth as Essentially include the Wills consent or Heart-Covenanting with God, as Matrimony includeth marriage consent, and as a man containeth the soul as well as the body. And thus it is certain that all truly Baptized persons are in a state of salvation; that is, All that sincerely consent to the Baptismal Covenant when they profess consent by Baptism, (but not hypocrites.) 4. And in this sense all the Ancient Pastors of the Churches, did concur that Baptism did wash away all sin, and put the baptized into a present right to life eternal; as he that examineth their Writings will perceive: not the outward washing and words alone, but when the inward and outward parts concur, or when by true faith and repentance, the Receiver hath right to the Covenant of God. 5. In this sense it is no unfit language to imitate the Fathers, and to say that the truly baptized are in a state of Justification, adoption and salvation, unless when mens misunderstanding maketh it unsa•e. 6. The sober Papists themselves say the same thing, and when they have said that even ex opere operato Baptism saveth, they add that it is only the meet Receiver; that is, the penitent believer, and no other of the adult. So that hitherto there is no difference.
2. Now let us by this try the case of Infants; concerning which there are all these several opinions among Divines.
1. Some think that all Infants (baptized or not) are saved from Hell and positive punishment, but are not brought to Heaven as being not capable of such joys.
1. Some think that all Infants (baptized or not) are saved from Hell and positive punishment, but are not brought to Heaven as being not capable of such joyes.
2. Some think that all Infants (dying such) are saved as others are, by actual felicity in Heaven, though in a lower degree. Both these sorts suppose that Christs death saveth all that reject […] not, and that Infants reject it not.
2. Some think that all Infants (dying such) are saved as others are, by actual felicity in Heaven, though in a lower degree. Both these sorts suppose that Christs death saveth all that reject 〈…〉 not, and that Infants reject it not.
3. Some think that all unbaptized Infants do suffer the poenam damni and are shut out of Heaven and happiness, but not sensibly punished or cast into Hell. For this Jansenius hath wrote a Treatise; and many other Papists think so.
3. Some think that all unbaptized Infants do suffer the poenam damni and are shut out of Heaven and happiness, but not sensibly punished or cast into Hell. For this Iansenius hath wrote a Treatise; and many other Papists think so.
4. Some think that all the Children of sincere believers dying in infancy are saved (that is Glorified) whether baptized or not; and no others.
5. Some think that God hath not at all revealed what he will do with any Infants.
6. Some think that he hath promised salvation as aforesaid to believers and their seed, but hath not at all revealed to us what he will do with all the rest.
7. Some think that only the Baptized Children of true believers are certainly (by promise) saved.
8. Some think that all the adopted and bought Children of true Christians, as well as the natural, are saved (if baptized, say some; or if not, say others.)
9. Some think that Elect Infants are saved, and no other, but no man can know who those are. And of these, 1. Some deny Infant Baptism; 2. Most say that they are to be baptized, and that thereby the non-elect are only received into the visible Church, and its privileges, but not to any promise or certainty of Justification, or a state of salvation.
9. Some think that Elect Infants are saved, and no other, but no man can know who those are. And of these, 1. Some deny Infant Baptism; 2. Most say that they are to be baptized, and that thereby the non-elect are only received into the visible Church, and its priviledges, but not to any promise or certainty of Justification, or a state of salvation.
10. Some think that all that are baptized by the Dedication of Christian Sponsors are saved.
11. Some think that all that the Pastor Dedicateth to God are saved, (because so dedicated by him say some; or because baptized ex opere operato say others.) And so all baptized Infants are in a state of salvation.
12. Some think that this is to be limited to all that have right to Baptism coram Deo; which some think the Churches reception giveth them, of which anon.
13. And some think it is to be limited to those that have right […]m Ecclesia, or are rightfully baptized ex parte Ministrantis, where some make the Magistrates command sufficient, and some the Bishops and some the baptizers will.
13. And some think it is to be limited to those that have right 〈…〉m Ecclesia, or are rightfully baptized ex parte Ministrantis, where some make the Magistrates command sufficient, and some the Bishops and some the baptizers will.
Of the title to Baptism I shall speak anon. Of the salvation of Infants, it is too tedious to confute all that I dissent from: not presuming in such darkness and diversity of opinions to be peremptory, nor to say, I am certain by the Word of God who are undoubtedly saved, nor yet to deny the undoubted certainty of wiser men, who may know that which such as I do doubt of, but submitting what I say to the judgement of the Church of God and my superiors, I humbly lay down my own thoughts as followeth.
Of the title to Baptism I shall speak anon. Of the salvation of Infants, it is too tedious to confute all that I dissent from: not presuming in such darkness and diversity of opinions to be peremptory, nor to say, I am certain by the Word of God who are undoubtedly saved, nor yet to deny the undoubted certainty of wiser men, who may know that which such as I do doubt of, but submitting what I say to the judgement of the Church of God and my superiours, I humbly lay down my own thoughts as followeth.