A26924:250
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 10: Point VII. Of the English sort of Godfathers at Baptism.
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.
And how doth the Church give right to Pardon and Life to Infidels Children. If it be merely volendo, as if Heaven were at their Will, why do they not sit at home, and make a deed of Gift of Heaven to the Infants at the Antipodes and of all the World: If it be by baptizing them, I showed before that Baptism merely as such, doth it not. And if it be the Will of the Baptizer they must mean the Priest, Deacon or another: And to say that these are the Terms of Infant Title to Baptism and Salvation, that if the Priests will they shall be baptized and saved; or else not, seemeth a New Gospel. 2. But it seems with us it is the God-fathers that give them Title, else the Church could save them when they will without Godfathers: And if so, where is the proof of it, in Scripture or Reason, that God will accept and save Infants because a mere Neighbour will bring them to be baptized, and promiseth to bring them up well if they live. It is supposed that these Sponsors own not the Children, and how come they then to have the power to be their Representatives, and to dispose of their Souls?
And how doth the Church give right to Pardon and Life to Infidels Children. If it be meerly volendo, as if Heaven were at their Will, why do they not sit at home, and make a deed of Gift of Heaven to the Infants at the Antipodes and of all the World: If it be by baptizing them, I shewed before that Baptism meerly as such, doth it not. And if it be the Will of the Baptizer they must mean the Priest, Deacon or another: And to say that these are the Terms of Infant Title to Baptism and Salvation, that if the Priests will they shall be baptized and saved; or else not, seemeth a New Gospel. 2. But it seems with us it is the God-fathers that give them Title, else the Church could save them when they will without Godfathers: And if so, where is the proof of it, in Scripture or Reason, that God will accept and save Infants because a meer Neighbour will bring them to be baptized, and promiseth to bring them up well if they live. It is supposed that these Sponsors own not the Children, and how come they then to have the power to be their Representatives, and to dispose of their Souls?
L. But any Beggars Child hath right to be taken into your house, if you are so Charitable as to do it? And so much right to Baptism and Salvation by it, Christ hath given to all.