A26959:132
More proofs of infants church-membership and consequently their right to baptism, or, A second…
More proofs of infants church-membership and consequently their right to baptism, or, A second defence of our infant rights and mercies in three parts ... / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for N. Simmons and J. Robinson, 1675
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.
Reply. Yet he giveth not a word to tell us why he thinketh so. If we are at this pass about Relations and Right in general, no marvel if Infant Baptism go for Antichristian: Doth not the Relative state of a Citizen, or of the member of any privileged society, consist in his state of Right to the Benefits, Privileges and Communion of the Society, and an obligation to the duties of a member, to the end he may have the benefits, and the Society the benefit of his membership ⟨p. 39⟩and duty? A conjunction of Right ([Greek or Hebrew]) and obligation constituteth all such Relations. But what shall we be agreed in that are ignorant and differ here?
Reply. Yet he giveth not a word to tell us why he thinketh so. If we are at this pass about Relations and Right in general, no marvail if Infant Baptism go for Antichristian: Doth not the Relative state of a Citizen, or of the member of any priviledged society, consist in his state of Right to the Benefits, Priviledges and Communion of the Society, and an obligation to the duties of a member, to the end he may have the benefits, and the Society the benefit of his membership ⟨p. 39⟩and duty? A conjunction of Right (〈non-Latin alphabet〉) and obligation constituteth all such Relations. But what shall we be agreed in that are ignorant and differ here?
Next Mr. T. denieth the consequence, [For a man may have a benefit without right.]
Reply. 1. And yet just now, Church-membership in Israel was a thing that none could usurp, or have without right? 2. But I said [no man can have a benefit from God against his will or without it:] And therefore if God give such a thing as Church-membership which consisteth in a Right to further benefits, he that hath it by Gods gift hath it rightfully: Natural effects (as a prey to a thief) may be said to be given of God improperly, by Physical disposal, to him that hath no right: But right it self cannot be given to him that hath no right; nor any thing else, Relative or Natural, by Gods Moral or Covenant donation.