A26965:332
The nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of their judgment in certain things…
The nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of their judgment in certain things in which they are misunderstood written to reconcile and pacify such as by mistaking them hinder love and concord / by Richard Baxter.The nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of their judgment in certain things in which they are misunderstood written to reconcile and pacifie such as by mistaking them hinder love and concord / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for Benj. Alsop, 1679
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.
3. There is a double work of Sacraments to which they may be called Effectual: one is God's own collation of our Covenant-right to the promised Benefits, viz. Pardon and Salvation: To this we believe that the Sacrament is effectual to meet receivers, when it is so delivered as to be no Nullity; and so many heretofore thought that Baptism delivered by a Lay-man is effectual, that is, not Null, but investeth the person in his Covenant Relation; and yet that it is unlawful for a Lay-man to administer it, or others to desire it of him: The other work of the Sacrament is on the Peoples hearts, to which the manner ⟨p. 107⟩of administering much contributeth, as experience proveth.
3. There is a double work of Sacraments to which they may be called Effectual: one is God's own collation of our Covenant-right to the promised Benefits, viz. Pardon and Salvation: To this we believe that the Sacrament is effectual to meet receivers, when it is so delivered as to be no Nullity; and so many heretofore thought that Baptism delivered by a Lay-man is effectual, that is, not Null, but investeth the person in his Covenant Relation; and yet that it is unlawful for a Lay-man to administer it, or others to desire it of him: The other work of the Sacrament is on the Peoples hearts, to which the manner ⟨p. 107⟩of administring much contributeth, as experience proveth.
Obj. But Sacraments operate not as Lawyers and Physicians do by the skill of the Minister, but by God's grace and blessing.
Ans. 1. But God's grace useth to work according to the aptitude of means morally, as constant experience proveth: And the word which is used in the Sacramental administration, must be regarded, and so must other ways of teaching as well as by Sacraments. 2. And we cannot expect God's blessing in a way of sin, when we own one for our Pastor whom we ought not.