A26924:254
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.
M. I have told you while I opened the former. They personate the Child without Authority: And it is a great doubt whether the Covenant and Baptism were not a mere Nullity, did not Parents besides the Laws of Conformity some way signify their own Agency therein. If any Neighbour should make a Covenant in the name of your Child, binding him at Age to Marry an Heiress, who hath a Lordship to her Portion, would this either oblige your Son, or give him any present right to her or her Estate?
M. I have told you while I opened the former. They personate the Child without Authority: And it is a great doubt whether the Covenant and Baptisme were not a meer Nullity, did not Parents besides the Laws of Conformity some way signifie their own Agency therein. If any Neighbour should make a Covenant in the name of your Child, binding him at Age to Marry an Heiress, who hath a Lordship to her Portion, would this either oblige your Son, or give him any present right to her or her Estate?
L. If the Donor or person empowered Consent, it giveth a conditional right, which becometh Actual when he marrieth her; and so here if God consent its so far valid.
M. God hath given Christ and Life conditionally to all before they believe or are baptized: But all must not therefore be baptized: This is not Actual Right, and so such Infants have no right by this Rule, till they believe in Christ. But Baptism is an actual Marriage with Christ, and its a Mockery where neither Party doth consent. Christ doth not consent: for he hath made no Promise but to the faithful and their Seed. Let them that affirm more, show it. The Infant doth not consent, having no Will of his own in Act, and the thing being done by one that had no power to personate or oblige him. And he may say, It was no act of mine, personally or Legally.