A26892:6324
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.
I. I cannot think that a Magistrates Command to baptize an Infant, giveth him right, 1. Because there is no proof of the validity of such a title: 2. Because the Magistrate can command no such thing if it be against Gods Word, as this is, which would level the case of the seed of Heathens and believers. And I know but few of that opinion.
II. I do not think that the Minister as such giveth title to the Infant: For 1. He is no proprietor, 2. He can show no such power or grant from God: 3. He must baptize none but those that antecedently have right. 4. Else he also might level all, and take in Heathens children with believers: 5. Nor is this pretended to by many, that I know of.
II. I do not think that the Minister as such giveth title to the Infant: For 1. He is no proprietor, 2. He can shew no such power or grant from God: 3. He must baptize none but those that antecedently have right. 4. Else he also might levell all, and take in Heathens children with believers: 5. Nor is this pretended to by many, that I know of.
III. I cannot think that it is a particular Church that must give this Right, or perform the condition of it. For 1. Baptism (as is aforesaid) as such, doth only make a Christian, and a member of the Universal Church, and not of any particular Church. And 2. The Church is not the proprietor of ⟨p. 816⟩the child. 3. No Scripture Commission can be showed for such a power. Where hath God said, All that any particular Church will receive, shall have right to baptism? 4. By what act must the Church give this right? If by baptizing him; the question is of his antecedent right? If by willing that he be baptized, 1. If they will that one be baptized that hath no right to it, their will is sinful, and therefore unfit to give him right. 2. And the baptizing Minister hath more power than a thousand or ten thousand private men, to judge who is to be baptized. 5. Else a Church might save all Heathens children that they can but baptize, and so level Infidels and Christians seed. 6. It is not the Church in general, but some one person, that must educate the child: Therefore the Church cannot so much as promise for its education: The Church hath nothing to do with those that are without: but only with her own; And Heathens children are not her own, nor exposed to her occupation.