A26892:6291
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.
4. If the Heart Consent or faith of the Adult, do put themselves into a state of salvation, before their baptism, then it doth so by their children: But &c.—
5. But this Right to salvation in Parents and Children upon Heart Consent before baptism, is only before God. For the Church taketh no Cognizance of secret heart-transactions: But a man then only consenteth in the Judgement of the Church, when he openly professeth it, and desireth to signify it by being baptized.
5. But this Right to salvation in Parents and Children upon Heart Consent before baptism, is only before God. For the Church taketh no Cognizance of secret heart-transactions: But a man then only consenteth in the Judgement of the Church, when he openly professeth it, and desireth to signifie it by being baptized.
6. And even before God, there is a necessitas praecepti obliging us to open baptism after heart consent: And he that heartily consenteth, cannot refuse Gods way of uttering it, unless either through ignorance he know it not to be his duty, (for himself and his child,) or through want of ability or opportunity cannot have it. So that while a man is unbaptized, somewhat is wanting to the completeness of his right to the benefits of the Covenant, viz. A reception of Investiture and possession in Gods appointed way; though it be not such a want, as shall frustrate the salvation of those that did truly consent in heart.
6. And even before God, there is a necessitas praecepti obliging us to open baptism after heart consent: And he that heartily consenteth, cannot refuse Gods way of uttering it, unless either through ignorance he know it not to be his duty, (for himself and his child,) or through want of ability or opportunity cannot have it. So that while a man is unbaptized, somewhat is wanting to the compleatness of his right to the benefits of the Covenant, viz. A reception of Investiture and possession in Gods appointed way; though it be not such a want, as shall frustrate the salvation of those that did truly consent in heart.