A26892:6281
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.
Answ. Though this was opened on the by before, I add, 1. The meaning is not that they are in that Absolute promise of the first and all following grace, supposed ordinarily to be made of the Elect as such (unknown) viz. [I will give them Faith, Repentance, Conversion, Justification and Salvation and all the Conditions of the Conditional promise, without any Condition on their part] which many take to be the meaning of [I will take the hard heart out of them, &c.] For 1. This promise is not now to be first performed to the adult who Repent and believe already: And no other are to be baptized at age: If that Absolute promise be sealed by baptism, either it must be so sealed as a promise before it be performed, or after: If before, either to all, because some are elect, or only to some that are elect. Not to all: for it is not common to Infidels: Not to some as elect; for 1. They are unknown, 2. If they were known, they are yet supposed to be Infidels. Not after performance, for then it is too late.
Answ. THough this was opened on the by before, I add, 1. The meaning is not that they are in that Absolute promise of the first and all following grace, supposed ordinarily to be made of the Elect as such (unknown) viz. [I will give them Faith, Repentance, Conversion, Iustification and Salvation and all the Conditions of the Conditional promise, without any Condition on their part] which many take to be the meaning of [I will take the hard heart out of them, &c.] For 1. This promise is not now to be first performed to the adult who Repent and believe already: And no other are to be baptized at age: If that Absolute promise be sealed by baptism, either it must be so sealed as a promise before it be performed, or after: If before, either to all, because some are elect, or only to some that are elect. Not to all: for it is not common to Infidels: Not to some as elect; for 1. They are unknown, 2. If they were known, they are yet supposed to be Infidels. Not after performance, for then it is too late.
2. The meaning is not only that the Conditional Covenant of Grace is made and offered to them: For so it may be said of Heathens and Infidels and all the world that hear the Gospel.