A26892:6407
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. 44. Doth Baptism always oblige us at the present, and give Grace at the present? And is the Grace which is not given till long after, given by Baptism? or an effect of Baptism?
Quest. 44. Doth Baptism alwayes oblige us at the present, and give Grace at the present? And is the Grace which is not given till long after, given by Baptism? or an effect of Baptism?
Answ. I Add this Case for two Reasons, 1. To open their pernicious error who think that a Covenant or Promise made by us to God, only for a future distant duty (as to Repent and believe before we dye,) is all that is essential to our Baptismal Covenanting. 2. To open the ordinary saying of many Divines, who say, that baptism worketh not always at the present, but sometimes only long afterward. The truth I think may be thus expressed,
Answ. I Add this Case for two Reasons, 1. To open their pernicious error who think that a Covenant or Promise made by us to God, only for a future distant duty (as to Repent and believe before we dye,) is all that is essential to our Baptismal Covenanting. 2. To open the ordinary saying of many Divines, who say, that baptism worketh not alwayes at the present, but sometimes only long afterward. The truth I think may be thus expressed,
1. It is not baptism, if there be not the profession of a present belief, a present consent, and a present dedition, or resignation, or dedication of the person to God, by the adult for themselves, and by Parents for their Infants. He that only saith, [I promise to believe, repent and obey only at twenty or thirty years of age,] is not morally baptized; for it is another Covenant of his own which he would make, which God accepteth not.