A26892:6402
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.
Augustine who first rose up for the doctrine of perseverance, against its Adversaries, carried it no higher than to all the Elect as such, and not at all to all the Sanctified; but oft affirmeth that some that were justified, sanctified and Love God, and are in a state of salvation, are not elect, and fall away: But since the Reformation, great reasons have been brought to carry it further to all the truly sanctified; of which cause Zanchius was one of the first Learned and zealous Patrons, that with great diligence in long disputations maintained it. All that I have now to say is, that I had rather with Davenant believe that the fore-described Infant state of salvation, which came by the Parents, may be lost by the Parents and the Children, (though such a sanctified renewed nature in holy Habits of Love as the adult have, be never lost) than believe that no Infants are in the Covenant of Grace and to be baptized.
Obj. But the Child once in possession shall not be punished for the Parents sin.
Answ. 1. This point is not commonly well understood. I have by me a large Disputation proving from the current of Scripture, a secondary original sin, besides that from Adam, and a secondary punishment ordinarily inflicted on Children for their Parents sins, besides the common punishment of the World for the first sin. 2. But the thing in question is but a loss of that benefit which they received and hold only by another. It is not so properly called a punishment for another's Sin, as a non-deliverance, or a non-continuance of their deliverance, which they were to receive on the condition of another's duty.
Answ. 1. This point is not commonly well understood. I have by me a large Disputation proving from the current of Scripture, a secondary original sin, besides that from Adam, and a secondary punishment ordinarily inflicted on Children for their Parents sins, besides the common punishment of the World for the first sin. 2. But the thing in question is but a loss of that benefit which they received and hold only by another. It is not so properly called a punishment for anothers Sin, as a non-deliverance, or a non-continuance of their deliverance, which they were to receive on the condition of anothers duty.