More proofs of infants church-membership and consequently their right to baptism, or, A second…

§. 24. Aug de baptis. cont. Donat. li. 4. c. 29. [Quod etiam atque etiam considerans invenio, non tantum Passionem pro nomine Christi, id quod ex Baptismo deerat posse supplere; sed etiam Fidem conversionemque Cordis, si forte ad celebrandum mysterium baptismi in angustiis temporum succurri non potest—Et Cap. 24. Cum Ministerium baptismi non contemptus religionis sed articulus necessitatis excludit: & baptismus quidem potest inesse ubi conversio cordis defuerit: Conversio autem cordis potest quidem inesse non percepto baptismo; sed contempto non potest: neque enim ullo modo dicenda est conversio cordis ad Deum, cum Dei sacramentum contemnitur. Conversion then will save without baptism, when baptism is not contemned: It is the contempt that destroyeth, and that as it proveth men unconverted. And this he professeth to be his judgement after long and great consideration.

§. 25. Baptism is to Christianity much like what Ordination is to the sacred Ministry, and what solemn Matrimony is to Marriage. It is necessary as a Duty, and as a Means to our ordinary and regular admittance to the Communion of the Church. But as in case there were no Ordainer to be had, in a far Country in America, no doubt but a qualified person might become a Pastor, rather than God should have no Church, nor be solemnly worshipped; And as in case there could be no regular solemnization of Marriage (as in such a wilderness) a published consent may tie the knot; so in case there could be no Baptizing, a solemn Profession and Covenanting would serve to Gods acceptance, and to a right to the Christian name.

§. 25. Baptism is to Christianity much like what Ordination is to the sacred Ministry, and what solemn Matrimony is to Marriage. It is necessary as a Duty, and as a Means to our ordinary and regular admittance to the Communion of the Church. But as in case there were no Ordainer to be had, in a far Countrey in America, no doubt but a qualified person might become a Pastor, rather than God should have no Church, nor be solemnly worshipped; And as in case there could be no regular solemnization of Marriage (as in such a wilderness) a published consent may tie the knot; so in case there could be no Baptizing, a solemn Profession and Covenanting would serve to Gods acceptance, and to a right to the Christian name.