A26924:258
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. If the Donor give it on those Terms, it's true. And if you can prove that God hath made his Covenant Gift of Pardon and Salvation to all the Seed of Infidels, Atheists and Wicked Men, on Condition that any body will but Accept it in their names at present, and bind them to accept it at Age, it will then I confess prove a valid act of Charity: And I see ⟨p. 65⟩not but why some good man should say [Lord, I accept of Christ and Salvation for all the Infants on Earth, and I bind them to accept it when they come to Age; and I hope the mere want of washing shall not deprive them of that which I have power to accept for them] I never heard of valid contracts made for Infants by any one that will but pretend to personate them.
M. If the Donor give it on those Terms, it's true. And if you can prove that God hath made his Covenant Gift of Pardon and Salvation to all the Seed of Infidels, Atheists and Wicked Men, on Condition that any body will but Accept it in their names at present, and bind them to accept it at Age, it will then I confess prove a valid act of Charity: And I see ⟨p. 65⟩not but why some good man should say [Lord, I accept of Christ and Salvation for all the Infants on Earth, and I bind them to accept it when they come to Age; and I hope the meer want of washing shall not deprive them of that which I have power to accept for them] I never heard of valid contracts made for Infants by any one that will but pretend to personate them.
L. Thus you would make rebaptizing necessary, if such Baptism be a nullity.
M. 1. Not to any whose Parents, though besides the Laws of Conformity own their agency, and dedicating their own child to Christ, which I hope is the case of most, custom through God's mercy teacheth them better than the Canons and Common-Prayer-Book. 2. And I think not to any other, whose Parents in Infancy, and themselves at Age do own the Covenant, and think that it was valid Baptism. For to such the end of Baptism is attained. If it were no Minister, or were one unauthorized that baptized him, it would not be a mere nullity as to the ends, if by mistake it were supposed well done. Factum valet, was judged by some, when Athanasius by a Boy was baptized in Sport.