A26892:6333
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.
Quest. 42. But the great Question is, How the Holy Ghost is given to Infants in Baptism? And whether all the Children of true Christians have inward sanctifying Grace? Or whether they can be said to be justified, and to be in a state of salvation, that are not inherently sanctified? And whether any fall from this Infant state of salvation?
Answ. OF all these great difficulties I have said what I know, in my Appendix to Infant Baptism to Mr. Bedford and Dr. Ward, and of Bishop Davenants judgement. And I confess that my judgement agreeth more in this with Davenants than any others, saving that he doth not so much appropriate the benefits of baptism to the children of sincere believers as I do. And though by a Letter in pleading Davenants cause, I was the occasion of good Mr. Gatakers printing of his answer to him, yet I am still most inclined to his judgement; Not that all the baptized, but that all the ⟨p. 818⟩baptized seed of true Christians are pardoned, justified, adopted, and have a title to the Spirit and salvation.
But the difficulties in this case are so great, as driveth away most who do not equally perceive the greater inconveniences which we must choose, if this opinion be forsaken: that is, that all Infants must be taken to be out of the Covenant of God, and to have no promise of salvation. Whereas surely the Law of Grace as well as the Covenant of Works included all the seed in their capacity.
But the difficulties in this case are so great, as driveth away most who do not equally perceive the greater inconveniencies which we must choose, if this opinion be forsaken: that is, that all Infants must be taken to be out of the Covenant of God, and to have no promise of salvation. Whereas surely the Law of Grace as well as the Covenant of Works included all the seed in their capacity.