A26892:6314
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.
9. And in the Priests speech to the Adult that come for baptism, in the Office of baptism of those of riper years, it is the persons themselves that are to promise and covenant for themselves, and the God-fathers and God-mothers are only called [these your Witnesses.] And if they be but Witnesses to the adult, its like they are not Adopters of Infants.
II. Those that doubt of the Lawfulness of using Sponsors for their children, do it on these two accounts: 1. As supposing it unlawful to make so promiscuous an Adoption of children, or of choosing another to be a Covenanter for the child instead of the Parent, to whom it belongeth; or to commit their children to another's either propriety, or education, or formal promise of that which belongeth to education, when they never mean to perform it, nor can do. 2. Because they take it for an Adding to the Ordinance of God, a thing which Scripture never mentioneth. To which I answer.
II. Those that doubt of the Lawfulness of using Sponsors for their children, do it on these two accounts: 1. As supposing it unlawful to make so promiscuous an Adoption of children, or of choosing another to be a Covenanter for the child instead of the Parent, to whom it belongeth; or to commit their children to anothers either propriety, or education, or formal promise of that which belongeth to education, when they never mean to perform it, nor can do. 2. Because they take it for an Adding to the Ordinance of God, a thing which Scripture never mentioneth. To which I answer.
1. I grant it unlawful to suppose another to be the Parent or proprietor that is not: Or to suppose him to have that power and interest in your child which he hath not: O• to desire him to undertake what he cannot perform, and which neither he nor you intend he shall perform: I grant that you are not bound to alienate the propriety of your children, nor to take in another to be joint-proprietors; nor to put out your children to the God-fathers education. So that if you will misunderstand the Use of Sponsors, then indeed you will make them unlawful to be so used.