A26892:6254
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.
2. But suppose it were otherwise, yet either the Children of true believers have the true Condition of Right to the special blessings of the Covenant, or they have not the condition of any at all. For there can no more be required of an Infant as to any special blessings of the Covenant, than that he be the Child of believing Parents and by them Dedicated to God. Either this condition entitleth them to all the Covenant promises which the adult believer is entitled to (as far as their natures are capable) or it entitleth them to none at all: Nor are they to be baptized: For God hath in Scripture instituted but one baptism (to profess one faith) And that one is ever for the remission of sins: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, Mark 16. 16.
3. Or if all the rest were granted you, yet it would follow that all Infants in the World, even of true believers, are left out of Gods Covenant of Grace, that is, the Covenant or promise of pardon of life; and are only taken in to the Covenant of Church-privileges. And so 1. You will make two Covenants (which you denied) and not only two sorts of benefits of one Covenant. 2. And two species of Baptism: while all Infants in the World are only under a Covenant of outward privileges, and have no baptism, but the seal of that Covenant, while believers have the Covenant, promise and seal of pardon and life.
3. Or if all the rest were granted you, yet it would follow that all Infants in the World, even of true believers, are left out of Gods Covenant of Grace, that is, the Covenant or promise of pardon of life; and are only taken in to the Covenant of Church-priviledges. And so 1. You will make two Covenants (which you denyed) and not only two sorts of benefits of one Covenant. 2. And two species of Baptism: while all Infants in the World are only under a Covenant of outward priviledges, and have no baptism, but the seal of that Covenant, while believers have the Covenant, promise and seal of pardon and life.