Reliquiæ Baxterianæ, or, Mr. Richard Baxters narrative of the most memorable passages of his…

Of the Cross in Baptism we have said more in due place; but here only add that it is a very great disorder (besides the other faults) to express the Terms of the Covenant as signified by the Cross, more fully than as signified by baptizing; viz. [We sign him with the sign of the Cross, in t•ken that hereafter he shall not be ashamed to confess the Faith of Christ crucified, and manfully to fight under his Banner, against Sin, the World and the Devil, and to continue Christ's faithful Soldier and Servant unto his lives end: Amen]. The Conclusion that [the Child is Regenerate] and the Thanksgiving for [Regenerating it by the Spirit] are doubly faulty: First, in concluding that all Children baptized are Regenerate, when we admit those (before mentioned) whose Interest in the Covenant, which Baptism sealeth, cannot be proved: that is, such whose Parents can lay no just claim to the Grace of the Covenant: At least, here is a private Opinion thrust into our Liturgy. Secondly in concluding all Infants regenerate by the Holy Ghost, when so many Learned Divines think that it is but a Relative Regeneration, that is ascertained them; and the Controversy is yet undecided. The Exhortation to the Godfathers and Godmothers imposeth on them the Duty of the Parents, to see to the holy Education, which ordinarily they cannot do, nor are to be required to do; nor is it ordinarily done, and yet we go on in the abuse. The concluding Rubric hasteneth Children too soon to Confirmation, contrary to some Clauses in the Rubric for Confirmation. Divers Defects besides these expressed, will appear, by comparing this part of the Common Prayer, with the Forms which we offer. In the Private Baptism it is disorderly to make the Godfathers and Godmothers renew solemnly the Covenant-Engagement of the Child, when before we are to [certify them that all is well done, and according to due order]; and the solemnizing of the Covenant is the principal use of Baptism; so that its doubtful whether the repeating of so great a part of Baptism, be not a great part of Anabaptism. And it is not orderly that twice we must say to the Godfathers and Godmothers [Dost thou in the Name of this Child] as if we spoke but to one of them: and the third time we say [Do you in his Name].

Of the Cross in Baptism we have said more in due place; but here only add that it is a very great disorder (besides the other faults) to express the Terms of the Covenant as signified by the Cross, more fully than as signified by baptizing; viz. [We sign him with the sign of the Cross, in t•ken that hereafter he shall not be ashamed to confess the Faith of Christ crucified, and manfully to fight under his Banner, against Sin, the World and the Devil, and to continue Christ's faithful Soldier and Servant unto his lives end: Amen]. The Conclusion that [the Child is Regenerate] and the Thanksgiving for [Regenerating it by the Spirit] are doubly faulty: First, in concluding that all Children baptized are Regenerate, when we admit those (before mentioned) whose Interest in the Covenant, which Baptism sealeth, cannot be proved: that is, such whose Parents can lay no just claim to the Grace of the Covenant: At least, here is a private Opinion thrust into our Liturgy. Secondly in concluding all Infants regenerate by the Holy Ghost, when so many Learned Divines think that it is but a Relative Regeneration, that is ascertained them; and the Controversie is yet undecided. The Exhortation to the Godfathers and Godmothers imposeth on them the Duty of the Parents, to see to the holy Education, which ordinarily they cannot do, nor are to be required to do; nor is it ordinarily done, and yet we go on in the abuse. The concluding Rubrick hasteneth Children too soon to Confirmation, contrary to some Clauses in the Rubrick for Confirmation. Divers Defects besides these expressed, will appear, by comparing this part of the Common Prayer, with the Forms which we offer. In the Private Baptism it is disorderly to make the Godfathers and Godmothers renew solemnly the Covenant-Ingagement of the Child, when before we are to [certifie them that all is well done, and according to due order]; and the solemnizing of the Covenant is the principal use of Baptism; so that its doubtful whether the repeating of so great a part of Baptism, be not a great part of Anbaptism. And it is not orderly that twice we must say to the Godfathers and Godmothers [Dost thou in the Name of this Child] as if we spoke but to one of them: and the third time we say [Do you in his Name].