A26924:212
The English nonconformity as under King Charles II and King James II truly stated…
The English nonconformity as under King Charles II and King James II truly stated and argued by Richard Baxter ; who earnestly beseecheth rulers and clergy not to divide and destroy the land and cast their own souls on the dreadful guilt and punishment of national perjury ...
London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst, 1689
Chapter 9: Point VI. Of the Article of Baptized Infants Salvation.
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.
L. I. And why may not an Article of Faith be newly declared? we have not read the Fathers? It may not be unknown to them: And I have heard that they are for it.
M. The most ancient Churches were so much employed in baptizing the adult Converted from Infidelity, that we read little or nothing expressly and particularly what they did about Infants in Baptism: They baptized none at age without a serious Profession of true Faith and Repentance and holy Dedication to Christ: They used to keep these as Learning Catechumens long before they baptized them, save in case of necessity near death. Therefore they had their set-times of the year for baptizing (two or three times) as our Bishops have now for ordaining. And after all this strict preparation, they pronounced the baptized in a state of Salvation, but it was only on supposition that he was a sincere penitent covenanting Believer. Even Hildebrand (Pope Greg. 7.) in his time concludeth that baptism saveth none that dissemble or have not the Faith and Repentance which they profess: which the Papists do ordinarily confess, and Protestants much more. And as for Infants, the Ancients compelled▪ not Christians themselves to baptize them, but left them to their own choice. Tertullian is for long delay till-they understand, saying, Cur festinat innocens at as: Greg▪ Nazianzene would have them stay at least three years: In danger of Death they alway hastened: Augustine and many others that had Christian Parents were not baptized till at Age. And they took Christians Infants, as Paul did, to be not unclean but holy, and would receive others brought by such as adopted or owned them as ⟨p. 51⟩Pro-parents. But it was never the judgment of the ancient Churches that all Heathens or Infidels Children have right to Baptism and Salvation if any will but offer them to Baptism. Much less that it is certain by Gods Word that all such are saved. 2. Articles of Faith are all contained in the Scripture, and that is not new; therefore nothing that is new can be an Article of Faith; nor can it be said to be newly declared which was there from its beginning.