A26923:828
An end of doctrinal controversies which have lately troubled the churches
An end of doctrinal controversies which have lately troubled the churches by reconciling explication without much disputing. Written by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for John Salusbury, 1691
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.
§. 8. 5. Some say, That all that any Christian (Sinner or Hypocrite) offereth to God, and is so baptized, shall be saved; that is, That hath Christian Godfather or Godmother. But if so, then what if Christians take Heathens Children against their Wills, and baptize them, and then turn them home again? Are they saved by the Ceremony, or by Consent to the Covenant? Not by the mere Geremony, as is, and shall be showed: Not by Consent of any such Christian that hath no right to them, nor power to represent them; else all the Children on Earth should be saved: For Christians would sit at home and consent for them, and dedicate them to God unseen: And sure God would not refuse to save them, because of distance, nor because unseen (for the Godfather may be blind); nor because unbaptized; when it cannot be had, and the Child hindereth it not.
§. 8. 5. Some say, That all that any Christian (Sinner or Hypocrite) offereth to God, and is so baptized, shall be saved; that is, That hath Christian Godfather or Godmother. But if so, then what if Christians take Heathens Children against their Wills, and baptize them, and then turn them home again? Are they saved by the Ceremony, or by Consent to the Covenant? Not by the meer Geremony, as is, and shall be shewed: Not by Consent of any such Christian that hath no right to them, nor power to represent them; else all the Children on Earth should be saved: For Christians would sit at home and consent for them, and dedicate them to God unseen: And sure God would not refuse to save them, because of distance, nor because unseen (for the Godfather may be blind); nor because unbaptized; when it cannot be had, and the Child hindereth it not.
§. 9. 6. Some say, That it is the Churches Faith, and dedicating them to God in Baptism that is the Condition of their Salvation: But this is not intelligible. If by the Church they mean all the Christian World, or all a National Church, or all a Diocesan Church, yea, or all a Parish-Church, they use not to be all Godfathers, nor to offer other folks Children to be baptized; nor did I ever know one that had so common a •ote, or was so offered: If they mean that the Churches Faith •erveth whoever be the Covenanter or Offerer, then