A26959:30
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.
§. 2. And whatever the singular judgement of that ⟨p. 2⟩learned and excellent Professor of Theology mentioned in his Preface, was or is concerning the arguments that I, and many before and since have used for Infant Baptism, and notwithstanding his opinion that it was introduced in the second Century, &c. yet so many wiser and better men than I, think otherwise both of the cause, and of Mr. T's writings, that I hope the modest will allow me the honour of having very good company if I should prove mistaken.
§. 3. No sober Christian will deny but that Godly men of both opinions may be saved: And then I think no such Christian that is acquainted with the History of the Church, can choose but think that there are now in Heaven many thousands, if not hundred thousands that were not against Infant Baptism, for one that was against it: And while we differ de jure, yet without great ignorance of the state of the world, we must needs agree that de facto, the number in the Church of Christ in all Nations and Ages that have been against Infant Baptism hath been so small, as that they make up but a very little part of the Church triumphant: which though I take for no proof of the truth of our opinion, yet I judge it a great reason to make me and others very fearful of turning rashly and without cogent proof to the other side. I know the Churches have still had their blemishes; but that they should all universally so err in the subject of Baptism and Christianity it self, is not to be believed till it be proved.
§. 4. Though Christ be not the Author of any of our errors, he is the healer of them, and he is the Effector as well as the Director of his Churches faith and holiness: And yet to say that though thousands or hundred thousands are in Heaven that were for Infant Baptism, for one that was against it, yet Christ was against even such a constitutive part of his Church (as accounted) is not to be received without good proof.