A26924:996
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
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. Many come to hear that are no Christians; Children are born in Nescience, and when they come to age must be made knowing Christians, and believe and obey for themselves if they will be saved; and they cannot consent to their baptismal Covenant if they understand it not: This is the thing that hath corrupted the Church: Those that were Infant-Christians, and at age were no Christians, have filled many Congregations. Yet I confess that where Confirmation and Personal Trial is by the sin of Pastors omitted, the peoples ordinary attendance at Church and desiring the Sacrament, is an obscure profession, and may serve to the being of a Church, tho' not to the well-being.
L. But some of your Non-conformists will as much blame you for requiring too little to Communion, in that you demand not an account of Mens Conversation.
M. 1. He that truly consenteth to the Covenant of Baptism, is Converted or Sanctified; and he oweth the Church no account ⟨p. 248⟩of that consent but his own Profession, not nulled by word or deed. And if you forsake this rule, you will never know what terms to take up with. 2. And as to the time or circumstances, whether God Sanctified him in Infancy and he grew up in grace, or when, or how God wrought upon him, he oweth no account to others.