A26892:6422
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.
Answ. As baptism signifieth only the external Ordinance, heart-covenanting is no part of it, but the Profession of it, is: And if there was no Profession of faith made, by word or sign, the person is unbaptized. But as baptism signifieth the Internal part with the external, so he will be no baptized person while he liveth; that is, One that in baptism did truly Consent, and Receive the spiritual Relations to God: But he will have the same thing in another way of Gods appointment.
10. When this person is after sanctified, it is by Gods performance of the same Covenant in specie, which baptism is made to seal, that God doth pardon, justify and adopt him: But this is not by his past baptism as a Cause, but by after grace and Absolution. The same Covenant doth it, but not baptism. Because indeed the Covenant or Promise saith, [When ever thou believest and repentest, I will forgive thee: But Baptism saith, Because thou now believest, I do forgive thee, and wash away thy sin;] and maketh present application.
10. When this person is after sanctified, it is by Gods performance of the same Covenant in specie, which baptism is made to seal, that God doth pardon, justifie and adopt him: But this is not by his past baptism as a Cause, but by after grace and Absolution. The same Covenant doth it, but not baptism. Because indeed the Covenant or Promise saith, [When ever thou believest and repentest, I will forgive thee: But Baptism saith, Because thou now believest, I do forgive thee, and wash away thy sin;] and maketh present application.
11. So if an Infant or adult person live without grace, and at age be ungodly, his Baptismal Covenant is violated; And his after Conversion (or faith and repentance) is neither the fulfilling of Gods Covenant, nor of his baptism neither. The reason is, because though Pardon and Adoption be given by that Conditional Covenant of Grace which baptism sealeth yet so is not that first Grace of Faith and Repentance which is the Condition of Pardon and Adoption, and the title to baptism it self. Else Infidels should have right to baptism, and thereby to faith and repentance. But these are only the free Gifts of God to the Elect, and the fulfilling of some Absolute predictions concerning the Calling of the Elect, and the fulfilling of Gods Will or Covenant to Christ the Mediator, that He shall see the travail of his soul and be satisfied, and possess those that are given him by the Father.