A26924:478
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 34: Point XXXI. Of Christening all Children without Exception, according to Canon 68.
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.
Chap. XXXIV. Point XXXI. Of Christening all Children without Exception, according to Canon 68.
M. The words are [No Minister shall refuse or delay to Christen any Child according to the Form of the Book of Common-Prayer, that is brought to the Church to him upon any Sunday or Holy-Day to be Christened. I have said so much of this before, that I here only say briefly, 1. This supposeth a false or unproved Doctrine, that the Infants of all Atheists, Infidels, Jews, Heretics, Blasphemers, &c. are in the Covenant of Grace, so far as to have right to be put by Baptism into present Possession of Pardon, and of right to Salvation. 2. When none must be delayed that are brought to Church, the Minister cannot so much as enquire whether the God-fathers know what Christianity is, or are Christians, or Jews, or Infidels. Or whether ever they received the Lord's Supper; which the Canon makes necessary. ⟨p. 122⟩3. Till they have given the Church proof from God's Word, that all Infants in the World have right to Baptism, it is too great Domination over mens Faith to command Obedience on pain of Suspension. Had we given no better proof for the Holiness and Baptism of the Seed of the Faithful, than these men bring for the Seed of Infidels, most good▪ Christians had turned Anabaptists long ago.
M. THe words are [No Minister shall refuse or delay to Christen any Child according to the Form of the Book of Common-Prayer, that is brought to the Church to him upon any Sunday or Holy-Day to be Christened. I have said so much of this before, that I here only say briefly, 1. This supposeth a false or unproved Doctrine, that the Infants of all Atheists, Infidels, Jews, Hereticks, Blasphemers, &c. are in the Covenant of Grace, so far as to have right to be put by Baptism into present Possession of Pardon, and of right to Salvation. 2. When none must be delayed that are brought to Church, the Minister cannot so much as enquire whether the God-fathers know what Christianity is, or are Christians, or Jews, or Infidels. Or whether ever they received the Lord's Supper; which the Canon makes necessary.