The cure of church-divisions, or, Directions for weak Christians to keep them from being…

But then it must be here observed, what a Profession of Christianity is, which entitleth to Baptism and Church-communion. And objectively, it must be the whole Baptismal Covenant that must be professed: No less is to be taken as a profession of Christianity: And as to the Act, it must be first, A signification of the mind, by word or writing, or some intelligible sign. Secondly, it must seem to be understood: For no man consenteth to that which he understandeth not. But herein any intelligible sign of a tolerable understanding must be accepted, though we find that the persons conceptions are raw and not so distinct and clear as they ought, nor the expressions ready, orderly or compt. Thirdly, it must seem to be serious: For that which is apparently dissembled or Judicrous is null: Fourthly, It must be de presenti, a present giving up our selves to Christ, and not only a promise de futuro, that we will hereafter take him for our Saviour and Lord, and not at present. Fifthly, it must seem to be voluntary, and not constrained: for then it is not serious. Sixthly, it must seem to be deliberate, and resolute, and settled, and not only the effect of a mutable passion. This goeth to make it a real Profession in the common sense of all mankind.

But then it must be here observed, what a Profession of Christianity is, which intitleth to Baptism and Church-communion. And objectively, it must be the whole Baptismal Covenant that must be professed: No less is to be taken as a profession of Christianity: And as to the Act, it must be first, A signification of the mind, by word or writing, or some intelligible sign. Secondly, it must seem to be understood: For no man consenteth to that which he understandeth not. But herein any intelligible sign of a tollerable understanding must be accepted, though we find that the persons conceptions are raw and not so distinct and clear as they ought, nor the expressions ready, orderly or compt. Thirdly, it must seem to be serious: For that which is apparently dissembled or Iudicrous is null: Fourthly, It must be de presenti, a present giving up our selves to Christ, and not only a promise de futuro, that we will hereafter take him for our Saviour and Lord, and not at present. Fifthly, it must seem to be voluntary, and not constrained: for then it is not serious. Sixthly, it must seem to be deliberate, and resolute, and setled, and not only the effect of a mutable passion. This goeth to make it a real Profession in the common sense of all mankind.