A26959:565
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.
And no men shall unteach me this great and comfortable lesson, which Christ hath so industriously taught me, and which hath been long written ⟨p. 201⟩so deeply on my heart, as hath made all unmerciful persecutions and separations, and alienations very displeasing to me.
§. 4. I have proved afterwards that even Augustine himself doth as on great deliberation assert that where the Ministry of baptism is not despised, Heart conversion without it sufficeth to salvation in the adult: And no scripture or reason doth make it absolutely necessary to Infants, if not to the adult.
§. 5. And if Heathens Infants are not damned merely for want of outward baptism, nor yet for want of the consent of others (either because that other mens consent who are strangers to them is not necessary to their salvation, or if it be necessary they have it at a distance) then it will follow that all the Infants of Heathens are in a state of salvation, unless somewhat else be yet proved necessary to it: And if they are all saved, then so are all Christians Infants also, or else they are more miserable than Heathens. And if you can first believe that the Infants of all Infidels, Atheists, and ungodly Christians (hypocrites) have a promise of salvation, you will next be inclined to think better of their Parents state than God alloweth you: And where is this promise?
§. 5. And if Heathens Infants are not damned meerly for want of outward baptism, nor yet for want of the consent of others (either because that other mens consent who are strangers to them is not necessary to their salvation, or if it be necessary they have it at a distance) then it will follow that all the Infants of Heathens are in a state of salvation, unless somewhat else be yet proved necessary to it: And if they are all saved, then so are all Christians Infants also, or else they are more miserable than Heathens. And if you can first believe that the Infants of all Infidels, Atheists, and ungodly Christians (hypocrites) have a promise of salvation, you will next be inclined to think better of their Parents state than God alloweth you: And where is this promise?