A26892:6717
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.
Object. 2. But the seed of Believers as such are in the Covenant; and therefore Church-members.
Answ. The word Covenant here is ambiguous: Either it signifieth Gods Law of Grace, or prescribed terms for salvation, with his immediate offer of the benefits to accepters, called the single Covenant of God; or it signifieth this with mans Consent, called the Mutual Covenant where both parties Covenant. In the former sense, the Covenant only offereth Church-membership, but maketh no man a Church-member, till Consent. It is but Gods conditional promise, If thou believe thou shalt be saved, &c. If thou give up thy self and children to me, I will be your God, and you shall be my people. But it is only the Mutual Covenant that maketh a Christian or Church-member.
Object. The promise is to us and our children as ours.
Answ. That is, that you and your children dedicated to God, shall be received into Covenant; ⟨p. 846⟩••t not otherwise. Believing is not only bare Assenting, but Consenting to the Covenant, and delivering up your selves to Christ: And if you do not consent that your child shall be in the Covenant, and deliver him to God also, you cannot expect acceptance of him, against your wills; nor indeed are you to be taken for true believers your selves, if you dedicate not your selves to him and all that are in your power.