A26892:6266
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.
Indeed if the proportion were thus laid, it would hold good; [As we know not who sincerely covenanteth for himself, and yet must baptize all that soberly profess it; so we know not who doth sincerely Covenant for his Infant, and yet we must baptize all whom the Parents bring with such a profession, for themselves and them.]
But if the sincere dedication of a sound believer, shall be accounted but equal to the lying profession of the adult, which is neither commanded, nor hath any promise, then Infants are not in the Covenant of Grace, nor is their sincerest dedication to God either commanded or hath any promise.
If I were but sure that the profession of the Adult for himself were sincere, I were sure that he were in a state of Grace. And if I am not sure of the same concerning the Parents dedication of his Infant, I must conclude that this is not a condition of the same Covenant, and therefore that he is not in the same Covenant (or Conditional promise of God) unless there be some other Condition required in him or for him: But there is no other that can be devised.
Object. Election is the Condition.